bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diabetes Differentially Affects Depression and Self-Rated Health by Age in the U.S.
Authors: Wexler Deborah J. , Porneala Bianca , Chang Yuchiao , Huang Elbert S. , Huffman Jeff C. , Grant Richard W. 
Published: May 2012

OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the relationship between age and physical and mental health varies by diabetes status in older U.S. adults.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, a national sample of 3,005 adults aged 57–85 years, we tested the significance of the interaction between age and diabetes in association with health states.

RESULTS
Respondents with diabetes in the youngest age cohort had more medical conditions than those without diabetes, a difference that narrowed with age (P for interaction &lt;0.01). The youngest cohort with diabetes had a higher rate of depression compared to those without diabetes (14 vs. 8%). Depression declined with age and did not differ by diabetes status in the oldest respondents (P = 0.01 for age-diabetes interaction).

CONCLUSIONS
Diabetes differentially affects self-rated overall health and depression by age, with convergence in the oldest age-group with and without diabetes.
Insights Into the Pathogenicity of Rare Missense GCK Variants From the Identification and Functional Characterization of Compound Heterozygous and Double Mutations Inherited in Cis
Authors: Beer Nicola L. , Osbak Kara K. , van de Bunt Martijn , Tribble Nicholas D. , Steele Anna M. , Wensley Kirsty J. , Edghill Emma L. , Colcough Kevin , Barrett Amy , Valentínová Lucia , Rundle Jana K. , Raimondo Anne , Grimsby Joseph , Ellard Sian , Gloyn Anna L. 
Published: May 2012

OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the importance of using a combined genetic and functional approach to correctly interpret a genetic test for monogenic diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We identified three probands with a phenotype consistent with maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) subtype GCK-MODY, in whom two potential pathogenic mutations were identified: [R43H/G68D], [E248 K/I225M], or [G261R/D217N]. Allele-specific PCR and cosegregation were used to determine phase. Single and double mutations were kinetically characterized.

RESULTS
The mutations occurred in cis (double mutants) in two probands and in trans in one proband. Functional studies of all double mutants revealed inactivating kinetics. The previously reported GCK-MODY mutations R43H and G68D were inherited from an affected father and unaffected mother, respectively. Both our functional and genetic studies support R43H as the cause of GCK-MODY and G68D as a neutral rare variant.

CONCLUSIONS
These data highlight the need for family/functional studies, even for previously reported pathogenic mutations.
Comparison of viscosities from the Chapman-Enskog and relaxation time methods
Authors: Wiranata Anton , Prakash Madappa , Chakraborty Purnendu 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
A quantitative comparison between the results of shear viscosities from the Chapman-Enskog and relaxation time methods is performed for selected test cases with specified elastic differential cross sections: (i) the non-relativistic, relativistic and ultra-relativistic hard sphere gas with angle and energy independent differntial cross section, (ii) the Maxwell gas, (iii) chiral pions and (iv) massive pions. Our quantitative results reveal that the extent of agreement (or disagreement) depends very sensitively on the energy dependence of the differential cross sections employed.
Synergistic effects of amyloid peptides and lead on human neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Suresh Challa , Johnson Johnny , Mohan Roshini , Chetty Chellu 
Published: May 2012

AbstractAggregated amyloid peptides (AP), major components of senile plaques, have been considered to play a very important and crucial role in the development and neuro-pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In the present in vitro, study the synergistic effects of Pb2+, a heavy metal, and AP on the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were investigated. The cells treated with Pb2+ (0.01–10 μM) alone exhibited a significant decrease in viability and IC50 was 5 μM. A similar decrease in viability was also observed when the cells were exposed to AP, Aβ1–40 (20–120 μM) and Aβ25-35 (2.5–15 μM) for 48 hrs. The IC50 values were 60 μM and 7.5 μM for Aβ1–40 and Aβ25–35 respectively. To assess the synergistic effects the cells were exposed to IC50 of both AP and Pb2+, which resulted in further reduction of the viability. The study was extended to determine the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release to assess the cytotoxic effects, 8-isoprostane for extent of oxidative damage, COX 1 and 2 for inflammation related changes, p53 protein for DNA damage and protein kinases A and C for signal transduction. The data suggest that the toxic effects of AP were most potent in the presence of Pb2+, resulting in an aggravated clinical pathological condition. This could be attributed to the oxidative stress, inflammation neuronal apoptosis and an alteration in the activities of the signaling enzymes.
Measurement of elastic constants of nematic liquid crystals with use of hybrid in-plane-switched cell
Authors: Nowinowski-Kruszelnicki E. , Kędzierski J. , Raszewski Z. , Jaroszewicz L. , Kojdecki M. , Piecek W. , Perkowski P. , Olifierczuk M. , Miszczyk E. , Ogrodnik K. , Morawiak P. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractA new method for quick and pretty accurate measurements of splay, twist and bend elastic constants of nematic liquid crystals is experimentally verified. The main concept relies on exploiting only the electric field and determining magnitudes of nematic elastic constants from threshold fields for Freedericksz transitions in only one hybrid in-plane-switched cell. In such cell the deformations of an investigated liquid crystal are controlled by three separated pairs of electrodes confining measurement domains. In two of them inter-digital electrodes are mounted on one cell cover. Splay, twist and bend elastic constants can be measured by a proper choice of electrodes’ configuration together with orienting cover coatings (without applying magnetic fields). In this paper, we describe layout of our cells and results of experimental tests by using different liquid crystals: 5CB and 6CHBT (with positive dielectric anisotropy), Demus’ esters (with negative dielectric anisotropy) and new liquid crystals mixtures produced in our university.
Selective Wet-Etching of Amorphous/Crystallized Sb-Se Thin Films
Authors: Shiman O. , Gerbreders V. , Sledevskis E. , Bulanovs A. 
Published: May 2012

Selective Wet-Etching of Amorphous/Crystallized Sb-Se Thin Films
The paper is focused on the development of an in situ real-time method for studying the process of wet chemical etching of thin films. The results of studies demonstrate the adequate etching selectivity for all thin film SbxSe100-x (x = 0, 20, 40, 50, 100) compositions under consideration. Different etching rates for the as-deposited and laser exposed areas were found to depend on the sample composition. The highest achieved etching rate was 1.8 nm/s for Sb40Se60 samples.
Power System Frequency Estimation Algorithm for Electric Energy Metering of Nonlinear Loads
Authors: Peng Zhang , Hong-Bin Li 
Published: May 2012

Power System Frequency Estimation Algorithm for Electric Energy Metering of Nonlinear LoadsIn this paper, a discrete wavelet transform (DWT) based approach is proposed for power system frequency estimation. Unlike the existing frequency estimators mainly used for power system monitoring and control, the proposed approach is developed for fundamental frequency estimation in the field of energy metering of nonlinear loads. The characteristics of a nonlinear load is that the power signal is heavily distorted, composed of harmonics, inter-harmonics and corrupted by noise. The main idea is to predetermine a series of frequency points, and the mean value of two frequency points nearest to the power system frequency is accepted as the approximate solution. Firstly the input signal is modulated with a series of modulating signals, whose frequencies are those frequency points. Then the modulated signals are decomposed into individual frequency bands using DWT, and differences between the maximum and minimum wavelet coefficients in the lowest frequency band are calculated. Similarities among power system frequency and those frequency points are judged by the differences. Simulation results have proven high immunity to noise, harmonic and inter-harmonic interferences. The proposed method is applicable for real-time power system frequency estimation for electric energy measurement of nonlinear loads.
Distance Measurement Errors in Silent Fm-Cw Sonar with Matched Filtering
Authors: Marszal Jacek , Salamon Roman 
Published: May 2012

Distance Measurement Errors in Silent Fm-Cw Sonar with Matched Filtering
The secretiveness of sonar operation can be achieved by using continuous frequency-modulated sounding signals with reduced power and significantly prolonged repeat time. The application of matched filtration in the sonar receiver provides optimal conditions for detection against the background of white noise and reverberation, and a very good resolution of distance measurements of motionless targets. The article shows that target movement causes large range measurement errors when linear and hyperbolic frequency modulations are used. The formulas for the calculation of these errors are given. It is shown that for signals with linear frequency modulation the range resolution and detection conditions deteriorate. The use of hyperbolic frequency modulation largely eliminates these adverse effects.
Measures for Evaluation of Structure and Semantics of Ontologies
Authors: Waloszek Wojciech 
Published: May 2012

Measures for Evaluation of Structure and Semantics of OntologiesRecently, the topic of ontologies has growing attention from the IT community. Various processes of ontology creation, integration, and deployment have been proposed. As a consequence there appeared an urgent need for evaluating the resulting ontologies in a quantitative way. A number of metrics has been defined along with different approaches to measuring the properties of ontologies. In the first part of this paper we review the state of the art in this domain. Special attention is devoted to discussing differences between syntactic measures (referring to various properties of graphs that represent ontologies) and semantic measures (reflecting the properties of the space of ontology models). In the second part we propose an alternative approach to quantification of semantics of an ontology. The original proposal presented here exploits specific methods of representing the space of semantic models used for optimization of reasoning. We argue that this approach enables us to capture different kinds of relations among ontology terms and offers possibilities of devising new useful measures.
Non-Destructive Inspection of Anti-Corrosion Protective Coatings Using Optical Coherent Tomography
Authors: Antoniuk Paulina , Strąkowski Marcin , Pluciński Jerzy , Kosmowski Bogdan 
Published: May 2012

Non-Destructive Inspection of Anti-Corrosion Protective Coatings Using Optical Coherent Tomography
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is one of the most rapidly advancing techniques. This method is capable of non-contact and non-destructive investigation of the inner structure of a broad range of materials. Compared with other methods which belong to the NDE/NDT group (Non-Destructive Evaluation/Non-Destructive Testing methods), OCT is capable of a broad range of scattering material structure visualization. Such a non-invasive and versatile method is very demanded by the industry. The authors applied the OCT method to examine the corrosion process in metal samples coated by polymer films. The main aim of the research was the evaluation of the anti-corrosion protective coatings using the OCT method. The tested samples were exposed to a harsh environment. The OCT measurements have been taken at different stages of the samples degradation. The research and tests results have been presented, as well as a brief discussion has been carried out.
Problems of Varistor Quality Assessment During Exploitation
Authors: Smulko Janusz , Olesz Marek , Hasse Lech , Kaczmarek Leszek , Lentka Grzegorz 
Published: May 2012

Problems of Varistor Quality Assessment During Exploitation
Varistors are commonly used elements which protect power supply networks against high-voltage surges or lightning. Therefore, quality and endurance of these elements is important to avoid losses when an expensive laboratory equipment would not be protected from random overvoltages. Additionally, excessive leakage currents generate serious costs due to high energy consumption. The paper presents shortly properties of varistors that comprized different ZnO grain types and can have various quality which changes continuously during exploitation (due to exposition to overheating and overvoltage pulses). Therefore, it is important to monitor varistors during their ageing (causing changes within their microstructures). A few methods of varistor property diagnosis were considered and compared with the methods currently applied in laboratory or industry applications. A new measurement (diagnostic) system that can monitor varistors during ageing and can be widely applied in power networks is presented. The proposed system fulfills requirements of the industrial customers which demand various methods for power line protection. The proposed system can be simply developed into a more advanced wireless diagnostic system of long power supply lines.
Magnesium Decreases Inflammatory Cytokine Production: A Novel Innate Immunomodulatory Mechanism
Authors: Sugimoto Jun , Romani Andrea M. , Valentin-Torres Alice M. , Luciano Angel A. , Ramirez Kitchen Christina M. , Funderburg Nicholas , Mesiano Sam , Bernstein Helene B. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
MgSO4 exposure before preterm birth is neuroprotective, reducing the risk of cerebral palsy and major motor dysfunction. Neonatal inflammatory cytokine levels correlate with neurologic outcome, leading us to assess the effect of MgSO4 on cytokine production in humans. We found reduced maternal TNF-α and IL-6 production following in vivo MgSO4 treatment. Short-term exposure to a clinically effective MgSO4 concentration in vitro substantially reduced the frequency of neonatal monocytes producing TNF-α and IL-6 under constitutive and TLR-stimulated conditions, decreasing cytokine gene and protein expression, without influencing cell viability or phagocytic function. In summary, MgSO4 reduced cytokine production in intrapartum women, term and preterm neonates, demonstrating effectiveness in those at risk for inflammation-associated adverse perinatal outcomes. By probing the mechanism of decreased cytokine production, we found that the immunomodulatory effect was mediated by magnesium and not the sulfate moiety, and it was reversible. Cellular magnesium content increased rapidly upon MgSO4 exposure, and reduced cytokine production occurred following stimulation with different TLR ligands as well as when magnesium was added after TLR stimulation, strongly suggesting that magnesium acts intracellularly. Magnesium increased basal IĸBα levels, and upon TLR stimulation was associated with reduced NF-κB activation and nuclear localization. These findings establish a new paradigm for innate immunoregulation, whereby magnesium plays a critical regulatory role in NF-κB activation, cytokine production, and disease pathogenesis.
CXCL17 Is a Mucosal Chemokine Elevated in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis That Exhibits Broad Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Burkhardt Amanda M. , Tai Kenneth P. , Flores-Guiterrez Juan P. , Vilches-Cisneros Natalia , Kamdar Karishma , Barbosa-Quintana Oralia , Valle-Rios Ricardo , Hevezi Peter A. , Zuñiga Joaquin , Selman Moises , Ouellette André J. , Zlotnik Albert 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
The mucosal immune network is a crucial barrier preventing pathogens from entering the body. The network of immune cells that mediates the defensive mechanisms in the mucosa is likely shaped by chemokines, which attract a wide range of immune cells to specific sites of the body. Chemokines have been divided into homeostatic or inflammatory depending upon their expression patterns. Additionally, several chemokines mediate direct killing of invading pathogens, as exemplified by CCL28, a mucosa-associated chemokine that exhibits antimicrobial activity against a range of pathogens. CXCL17 was the last chemokine ligand to be described and is the 17th member of the CXC chemokine family. Its expression pattern in 105 human tissues and cells indicates that CXCL17 is a homeostatic, mucosa-associated chemokine. Its strategic expression in mucosal tissues suggests that it is involved in innate immunity and/or sterility of the mucosa. To test the latter hypothesis, we tested CXCL17 for possible antibacterial activity against a panel of pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria. Our results indicate that CXCL17 has potent antimicrobial activities and that its mechanism of antimicrobial action involves peptide-mediated bacterial membrane disruption. Because CXCL17 is strongly expressed in bronchi, we measured it in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and observed that it is strongly upregulated in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. We conclude that CXCL17 is an antimicrobial mucosal chemokine that may play a role in the pathogenesis of interstitial lung diseases.
Innate IFNs and Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Constrain Th2 Cytokine Responses to Rhinovirus: A Regulatory Mechanism with Relevance to Asthma
Authors: Pritchard Antonia L. , Carroll Melanie L. , Burel Julie G. , White Olivia J. , Phipps Simon , Upham John W. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Human rhinoviruses (RV) cause only minor illness in healthy individuals, but can have deleterious consequences in people with asthma. This study sought to examine normal homeostatic mechanisms regulating adaptive immunity to RV in healthy humans, focusing on effects of IFN-αβ and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) on Th2 immune responses. PBMC were isolated from 27 healthy individuals and cultured with RV16 for up to 5 d. In some experiments, IFN-αβ was neutralized using a decoy receptor that blocks IFN signaling, whereas specific dendritic cell subsets were depleted from cultures with immune-magnetic beads. RV16 induced robust expression of IFN-α, IFN-β, multiple IFN-stimulated genes, and T cell-polarizing factors within the first 24 h. At 5 d, the production of memory T cell-derived IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-13, but not IL-17A, was significantly elevated. Neutralizing the effects of type-I IFN with the decoy receptor B18R led to a significant increase in IL-13 synthesis, but had no effect on IFN-γ synthesis. Depletion of pDC from RV-stimulated cultures markedly inhibited IFN-α secretion, and led to a significant increase in expression and production of the Th2 cytokines IL-5 (p = 0.02), IL-9 (p &lt; 0.01), and IL-13 (p &lt; 0.01), but had no effect on IFN-γ synthesis. Depletion of CD1c+ dendritic cells did not alter cytokine synthesis. In healthy humans, pDC and the IFN-αβ they secrete selectively constrain Th2 cytokine synthesis following RV exposure in vitro. This important regulatory mechanism may be lost in asthma; deficient IFN-αβ synthesis and/or pDC dysfunction have the potential to contribute to asthma exacerbations during RV infections.
Cutting Edge: Evidence for a Dynamically Driven T Cell Signaling Mechanism
Authors: Hawse William F. , Champion Matthew M. , Joyce Michelle V. , Hellman Lance M. , Hossain Moushumi , Ryan Veronica , Pierce Brian G. , Weng Zhiping , Baker Brian M. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
T cells use the αβ TCR to bind peptides presented by MHC proteins (pMHC) on APCs. Formation of a TCR–pMHC complex initiates T cell signaling via a poorly understood process, potentially involving changes in oligomeric state, altered interactions with CD3 subunits, and mechanical stress. These mechanisms could be facilitated by binding-induced changes in the TCR, but the nature and extent of any such alterations are unclear. Using hydrogen/deuterium exchange, we demonstrate that ligation globally rigidifies the TCR, which via entropic and packing effects will promote associations with neighboring proteins and enhance the stability of existing complexes. TCR regions implicated in lateral associations and signaling are particularly affected. Computational modeling demonstrated a high degree of dynamic coupling between the TCR constant and variable domains that is dampened upon ligation. These results raise the possibility that TCR triggering could involve a dynamically driven, allosteric mechanism.
Separation of water–isopropyl alcohol mixtures with novel hybrid composite membranes
Authors: Saraswathi Mekala , Viswanath Buddolla 
Published: May 2012

AbstractNew‐fangled hybrid composite membranes were prepared by the incorporation of 5, 10, and 15 mass % NaY–zeolite particles into blend membranes of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)‐g‐acrylamide/sodium alginate (NaAlg) and crosslinked with glutaraldehyde. The pervaporation (PV) separation performance of the hybrid composite membranes was explored for the dehydration of isopropyl alcohol from their aqueous solutions at 30°C. The effect of NaY–zeolite in these blend membranes was investigated in PV dehydration. From the experimental results, we found that NaY particles could be intercalated in the aqueous polymer solution. The obtained results show that both the flux and selectivity increased simultaneously with increasing zeolite content in the membrane. This was explained on the basis of an enhancement of the hydrophilicity, selective adsorption, and molecular sieving action by the creation of pores in the membrane matrix. The membranes were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2012
An approach to assess the synergistic effect of natural antioxidants on the performance of the polypropylene stabilizing systems
Authors: Conde Enma , Castro López Mª del Mar , Moure Andrés , Manuel López Vilariño José , Domínguez Herminia , Abad López Mª José , González Rodríguez Victoria 
Published: May 2012

AbstractA study on the efficiency of natural antioxidants from agri‐food industry wastes as long‐term antioxidants for polypropylene (PP) is reported. Special attention is paid to the usage of vegetal wastes as a source of natural antioxidants such as alternatives to synthetic long‐term antioxidants. The potential of the lignin‐derived fractions generated during autoydrolysis processing of lignocellulosic agricultural, forestal, and food wastes was assessed. The measurements of oxidation induction time were used for obtaining information on long‐term antioxidant effectiveness, showing the protective effect of natural extracts. The protective effect was improved in combinations of natural extracts with 0.1% and 0.2% of Irgafos 168 (short‐term antioxidant) besides a synergistic effect was exhibited when 0.4% of Irgafos 168 is added. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012