bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Normal ventral telencephalic expression of Pax6 is required for normal development of thalamocortical axons in embryonic mice
Authors: Simpson T Ian , Pratt Thomas , Mason John O , Price David J 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Background
In addition to its well-known expression in dorsal telencephalic progenitor cells, where it regulates cell proliferation and identity, the transcription factor Pax6 is expressed in some ventral telencephalic cells, including many postmitotic neurons. Its functions in these cells are unknown.

Results
We generated a new floxed allele of Pax6 and tested the consequences of a highly specific ventral telencephalic depletion of Pax6. We used the Six3
A1A2
-Cre allele that drives production of Cre recombinase in a specific region of Pax6-expression close to the internal capsule, through which thalamic axons navigate to cerebral cortex. Depletion in this region caused many thalamic axons to take aberrant routes, either failing to turn normally into ventral telencephalon to form the internal capsule or exiting the developing internal capsule ventrally. We tested whether these defects might have resulted from abnormalities of two structural features proposed to guide thalamic axons into and through the developing internal capsule. First, we looked for the early pioneer axons that project from the region of the future internal capsule to the thalamus and are thought to guide thalamocortical axons to the internal capsule: we found that they are present in conditional mutants. Second, we examined the development of the corridor of Islet1-expressing cells that guides thalamic axons through ventral telencephalon and found that it was broader and less dense than normal in conditional mutants. We also examined corticofugal axons that are thought to interact with ascending thalamocortical axons, resulting in each set providing guidance to the other, and found that some are misrouted to lateral telencephalon.

Conclusion
These findings indicate that ventral telencephalic Pax6 is important for formation of the Islet1-expressing corridor and the thalamic and cortical axons that grow through it. We suggest that Pax6 might affect thalamic axonal growth indirectly via its effect on the corridor.
Oxidative modifications, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired protein degradation in Parkinson's disease: how neurons are lost in the Bermuda triangle
Authors: Malkus Kristen A , Tsika Elpida , Ischiropoulos Harry 
Published: June 2009

AbstractWhile numerous hypotheses have been proposed to explain the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, the theory of oxidative stress has received considerable support. Although many correlations have been established and encouraging evidence has been obtained, conclusive proof of causation for the oxidative stress hypothesis is lacking and potential cures have not emerged. Therefore it is likely that other factors, possibly in coordination with oxidative stress, contribute to neuron death. Using Parkinson's disease (PD) as the paradigm, this review explores the hypothesis that oxidative modifications, mitochondrial functional disruption, and impairment of protein degradation constitute three interrelated molecular pathways that execute neuron death. These intertwined events are the consequence of environmental exposure, genetic factors, and endogenous risks and constitute a "Bermuda triangle" that may be considered the underlying cause of neurodegenerative pathogenesis.
Alterations in peripheral blood memory B cells in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis are dependent on the action of tumour necrosis factor
Authors: Souto-Carneiro M Margarida , Mahadevan Vijayabhanu , Takada Kazuki , Fritsch-Stork Ruth , Nanki Toshihiro , Brown Margaret , Fleisher Thomas A , Wilson Mildred , Goldbach-Mansky Raphaela , Lipsky Peter E 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Introduction
Disturbances in peripheral blood memory B cell subpopulations have been observed in various autoimmune diseases, but have not been fully delineated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Additionally, the possible role of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in regulating changes in specific peripheral blood memory B cell subsets in RA is still unclear.

Methods
The frequency and distribution of B cell subsets in the peripheral blood and synovial membrane of active RA patients with long-standing disease have been analysed. Additionally, the possible role of TNF in causing disturbances in memory B cell subsets in RA patients was assessed in a clinical trial with the specific TNF-neutralising antibody, infliximab.

Results
RA patients, independent of disease duration, have a significantly lower frequency of peripheral blood pre-switch IgD+CD27+ memory B cells than healthy individuals, whereas post-switch IgD-CD27+ accumulate with increased disease duration. Notably, both pre-switch IgD+CD27+ and post-switch IgD-CD27+ memory B cells accumulate in the synovial membrane of RA patients. Finally, anti-TNF therapy increased the frequency of pre-switch IgD+CD27 memory B cells in the peripheral blood.

Conclusions
The data suggest that decreases in peripheral blood IgD+CD27+ pre-switch memory B cells in RA reflect their accumulation in the synovial tissue. Moreover, the significant increase in the peripheral blood pre-switch memory B cells in patients who underwent specific TNF-blockade with infliximab indicates that trafficking of memory B cells into inflamed tissue in RA patients is regulated by TNF and can be corrected by neutralising TNF.
Mesenchymal progenitor cell markers in human articular cartilage: normal distribution and changes in osteoarthritis
Authors: Grogan Shawn P , Miyaki Shigeru , Asahara Hiroshi , D'Lima Darryl D , Lotz Martin K 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Introduction
Recent findings suggest that articular cartilage contains mesenchymal progenitor cells. The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of stem cell markers (Notch-1, Stro-1 and VCAM-1) and of molecules that modulate progenitor differentiation (Notch-1 and Sox9) in normal adult human articular cartilage and in osteoarthritis (OA) cartilage.

Methods
Expression of the markers was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and flow cytometry. Hoechst 33342 dye was used to identify and sort the cartilage side population (SP). Multilineage differentiation assays including chondrogenesis, osteogenesis and adipogenesis were performed on SP and non-SP (NSP) cells.

Results
A surprisingly high number (>45%) of cells were positive for Notch-1, Stro-1 and VCAM-1 throughout normal cartilage. Expression of these markers was higher in the superficial zone (SZ) of normal cartilage as compared to the middle zone (MZ) and deep zone (DZ). Non-fibrillated OA cartilage SZ showed reduced Notch-1 and Sox9 staining frequency, while Notch-1, Stro-1 and VCAM-1 positive cells were increased in the MZ. Most cells in OA clusters were positive for each molecule tested. The frequency of SP cells in cartilage was 0.14 ± 0.05% and no difference was found between normal and OA. SP cells displayed chondrogenic and osteogenic but not adipogenic differentiation potential.

Conclusions
These results show a surprisingly high number of cells that express putative progenitor cell markers in human cartilage. In contrast, the percentage of SP cells is much lower and within the range of expected stem cell frequency. Thus, markers such as Notch-1, Stro-1 or VCAM-1 may not be useful to identify progenitors in cartilage. Instead, their increased expression in OA cartilage implicates involvement in the abnormal cell activation and differentiation process characteristic of OA.
Off hour admission to an intensivist-led ICU is not associated with increased mortality
Authors: Meynaar Iwan A , van der Spoel Johan I , Rommes Johannes H , van Spreuwel-Verheijen Margot , Bosman Rob J , Spronk Peter E 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Introduction
Caring for the critically ill is a 24-hour-a-day responsibility, but not all resources and staff are available during off hours. We evaluated whether intensive care unit (ICU) admission during off hours affects hospital mortality.

Methods
This retrospective multicentre cohort study was carried out in three non-academic teaching hospitals in the Netherlands. All consecutive patients admitted to the three ICUs between 2004 and 2007 were included in the study, except for patients who did not fulfil APACHE II criteria (readmissions, burns, cardiac surgery, younger than 16 years, length of stay less than 8 hours). Data were collected prospectively in the ICU databases. Hospital mortality was the primary endpoint of the study. Off hours was defined as the interval between 10 pm and 8 am during weekdays and between 6 pm and 9 am during weekends. Intensivists, with no responsibilities outside the ICU, were present in the ICU during daytime and available for either consultation or assistance on site during off hours. Residents were available 24 hours a day 7 days a week in two and fellows in one of the ICUs.

Results
A total of 6725 patients were included in the study, 4553 (67.7%) admitted during daytime and 2172 (32.3%) admitted during off hours. Baseline characteristics of patients admitted during daytime were significantly different from those of patients admitted during off hours. Hospital mortality was 767 (16.8%) in patients admitted during daytime and 469 (21.6%) in patients admitted during off hours (P < 0.001, unadjusted odds ratio 1.36, 95%CI 1.20–1.55). Standardized mortality ratios were similar for patients admitted during off hours and patients admitted during daytime. In a logistic regression model APACHE II expected mortality, age and admission type were all significant confounders but off-hours admission was not significantly associated with a higher mortality (P = 0.121, adjusted odds ratio 1.125, 95%CI 0.969–1.306).

Conclusions
The increased mortality after ICU admission during off hours is explained by a higher illness severity in patients admitted during off hours.
Application of the multi-vari method in identification of the problem assignable cause set of variation
Authors: Devedžić G , Mirić N 
Published: June 2009

Any working process is designed with the intent to create an output that will satisfy either predetermined requirement or a potential customer. One of the parameters that will influence customer satisfaction is the variation of the working process output that is within or outside the originally predetermined or expected range of variation. The meaning of ‘expected range of variation’ in this context is related to a relatively recently recognized dimension of quality ‘perceived quality’, whereas a ‘predetermined range of variation’ is a synonym for Crosby's quality definition of conformance to requirements and specifications (Crosby, Quality is free: The art of making quality certain, 1979, McGraw-Hill). The working process output is controlled by variables that are functions of time and/or working environment specifics. A change of variables may create an ‘uncontrolled’ output that shows a level of variation outside the predetermined or expected requirements. From a management prospective this is called either a problem or an opportunity. The ‘uncontrolled’ outputs have a negative impact on the performance of the working environment, which is, in most cases, closely related to the production cost. The unknown assignable cause of variation (or root cause of variation) that is contained within the unknown critical set of variation (or family of variation) is the main reason for the uncontrolled outputs. In view of the cost as a function of time, in any working environment, it is important to identify quickly the critical set of variation which would lead to a quicker problem solution and better control of the financial figures. Multi-vari is a statistical engineering method used to analyse a set of data acquired in an organized manner and analysed graphically or analytically. There are two basic applications of this method: (i) to determine statistically the homogeneity of the data distribution and (ii) to identify the critical set of variation that contains the assignable cause of the variation. This paper focuses on the second application of this method, which gives the greatest return on investment with respect to day-to-day operations in different working environments. The multi-vari method presented and application examples should help readers to understand the essential features, to evaluate the method, and to identify its potential for application in their areas of expertise.
Fabrication of SmCo5 Alloy Magnetic Nanoparticles by Assistance of Copper and Their Magnetic Properties
Authors: Tokonami Shiho , Kinjo Mutsuko , Inokuchi Makoto , Toshima Naoki 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
SmCo5 magnetic nanoparticles were preparaed through a simultaneous reduction of Sm(acac)3·xH2O and Co(acac)3 by assistance of Cu(acac)2 and NaBH4 in the presence of oleic acid and oleylamine as a protectant. Supplementation of Cu activated the formation of SmCo5 nanoparticles having a CaCu5 structure, and use of NaBH4 as a reducing agent played an important role to prevent samarium and cobalt from oxidation during preparation. The mean particle diameter was 3.4 nm, having a well-controlled crystal morphology. The magnetic properties of the prepared nanoparticles represented sufficiently high coercivity and magnetization of 1300 Oe and 15.7 emu g−1, respectively, at room temperature.
Photoinduced Outgrowth of Gold Nanotadpoles in Aqueous Bilayer Dispersions
Authors: Soejima Tetsuro , Hasegawa Toshio , Morikawa Masa-aki , Kimizuka Nobuo 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
An aqueous-phase synthesis of gold nanotadpoles by using bilayer membranes as growth regulating factor is newly developed. The gold nanotadpoles are formed by photoreduction of Au(OH)4− in aqueous bilayer dispersion. The outgrowth of tails occurred from spherical nanoparticles, which are regulated depending on the photoirradiation time.
Single-Molecule Imaging of a Micro-Brownian Motion of a Chiral Helical π-Conjugated Polymer as a Molecular Spring Driven by Thermal Fluctuations
Authors: Shinohara Ken-ichi , Kodera Noriyuki , Ando Toshio 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
We observed a micro-Brownian motion of single molecules of a chiral helical π-conjugated polymer as a molecular spring on mica substrate under n-octylbenzene at room temperature using high-speed (rapid scan) AFM. The average velocity at the chain end of the polymer was 67 nm s−1 at the observation point. The analytical result shows that the mean square displacement in a single polymer chain is proportional to the time and, hence, complies with Einstein’s law of Brownian motion. The diffusion constant (D) is measured to be 8.2×10−15 m2 s−1 at the solid/liquid interface.
The Association Between Maternal Anxiety and Treatment Outcome for Childhood Anxiety Disorders
Authors: Gar Natalie S. , Hudson Jennifer L. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThis study examined the influence of maternal anxiety on the treatment outcome of anxious children. Forty-eight clinically anxious children (aged 6–14 years) were classified into two groups based on the presence of an anxiety disorder diagnosis in their mother. Diagnostic data at posttreatment showed that children with anxious mothers responded significantly less favourably to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) than did children with nonanxious mothers (28% vs. 58% improved, respectively). At 12-month follow-up, 68% of children with anxious mothers improved, compared to 79% of children with nonanxious mothers. This difference was not significant. Findings were not consistent across outcome measures. This study also investigated the changes in maternal anxiety across child treatment. Prior to treatment, diagnostic data showed that 60% of mothers met criteria for an anxiety disorder. At posttreatment, 21% of these mothers were free of their primary diagnosis. There was also a significant reduction in self-reported maternal anxiety across treatment that was maintained at follow-up. Theoretical and clinical implications of the findings are discussed.
Dilatometric Analysis to Study Aging of Aluminum Alloys
Authors: Gerosa R. , Rivolta B. , Derudi U. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
The microstructural modifications occurring during the natural or artificial aging of the aluminum alloys are related to modifications of physical properties such as electrical conductivity, hardness, and volume, each of them measured by specific instruments. In this paper the dimensional changes during the aging time were investigated through a high precision dilatometer; this technique keeps the sample at constant temperature and follows the precipitation phenomena versus time continuously. All the samples were taken from commercial thick plates of different aluminum alloys. The heavy plastic deformation during rolling was responsible for introducing anisotropy into the plate, so that the samples for the investigation were taken in the longitudinal, long transverse, and short transverse directions. By analyzing the dimensional changes of the samples versus aging time, standard and non-standard time-temperature values were selected as aging parameters for samples designated for mechanical and intergranular corrosion tests. The results obtained showed that the dilatometer can give important information about the precipitation kinetics occurring during aging, and it can be considered a useful instrumentation for the optimization of aging of aluminum alloys.
Chemical Speciation and Heavy Metal Mobility in Contaminated Marine Sediments
Authors: Damikouka Ioanna , Katsiri Alexandra 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Management of sediments from coastal areas, contaminated with heavy metals and organic substances, is a very critical issue. Management decisions are usually based on total pollutant concentrations and various guidelines that are used by different countries. Heavy metals can be mobilized from polluted sediments if they are exposed to changing environmental conditions that occur during excavation, disposal at sea, or disposal in confined facilities. This paper examines the changes in heavy metals partitioning to binding phases in contaminated marine sediments and the release of metals to the environment. Environmental conditions are simulated by submitting sediments to a modified elutriation test with oxygenated and deoxygenated seawater. A sequential extraction procedure is used to determine the binding fractions of heavy metals in the sediments. Fractionation analysis of excavated marine sediments from the port of Piraeus, Greece showed that copper is primarily associated with organic matter, whereas lead and zinc are primarily associated with iron oxides. Under anoxic conditions, the metals bound to the various binding fractions remain practically stable. On the other hand, under oxic conditions, an increase in the concentration of metals associated with carbonates and a decrease in the concentration of metals associated with organic matter and iron oxides were observed. Both under oxic and anoxic conditions, actual metal mobility was very low and less than 0.5 % of total metal mass was found in the dissolved phase.
Effects on Time-lapse Seismic of a Hard Rock Layer beneath a Compacting Reservoir
Authors: Tempone P. , Landrø M. , Fjær E. , Inoue N. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Geertsma's analytical method is often used to estimate changes in stress and strain in the rock around compacting reservoirs, and then to estimate seismic traveltime shifts. The present work extends Geertsma's analytical solution to the case where a hard rock layer is located beneath the compacting reservoir. The analytical solution for the three components of displacement has been derived using both thermo-elastic and poro-elastic theory. The impact of the hard rock layer on the seismic traveltime shifts are estimated by applying the dilation factor method for strain sensitivity of the seismic velocity, and then comparing the results for our model (Rigid Basement Model) to the results for the original Geertsma model.
The rigid layer prevents any displacements below a given depth below the reservoir. This has consequences for the displacements above the rigid layer. In our model example, these results in a larger stretching of the overburden and correspondingly larger time-shifts compared to the Geertsma model. Thus the strain field due to a hard rock layer may explain the high time-shifts observed in deeper layers, as experienced in Shearwater (Staples et al., 2007; Cox et al., 2008). The theory used for the derivation of the method is known for the users of the Geertsma's model, thus the extension proposed in this work can easily be implemented in a code based on Geertsma's analytical solution.
Effectiveness of a New Surfactant-Based Friction Reducer to Extend CT Reach in Openhole Completions—Case Histories from the Middle East
Authors: Noguera Jose Antonio , Sierra Leopoldo 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Maximizing hydrocarbon recovery by drilling longer horizontal sections or maximizing reservoir contact has presented many challenges to well interventions with coiled tubing (CT). In most cases, the architectural complexity of the wellbore has pushed CT interventions to their limits.
The number of these complex wells has increased significantly in the Middle East in the past few years, especially in new field developments where water-injector wells with the above mentioned characteristics have been placed in the reservoir flanks. These water-injector wells are a perfect example of the completion complexity caused by a combination of large-bore tubular, lower reservoir pressure, and long, horizontal openhole sections.
While preparing a stimulation campaign for water-injector wells on one of the above mentioned fields, because of the complexity of its wellbore architecture, the use of a mechanical assistant tool for CT, such as hydraulic tractors, was considered the only alternative to reach the entire wellbore. However, during the interventions of shorter horizontal sections, it was discovered that a new surfactant-based friction reducer could be used effectively to reduce the drag forces, significantly improving the CT reach. This paper describes cases histories where the use of a new friction reducer allowed the effective stimulation of openhole completions longer than 8,000 ft without using any additional mechanical tools.
CO2 Hydrate: A Possibility for Future CO2 Disposal
Authors: Rajnauth J. , Barrufet M. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Capture and disposal of CO2 are actively being sought as a means to avoid release of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. With the reality of increasing fossil fuel use, focus should be aimed at developing and deploying promising technologies that can prevent release of CO2 to the atmosphere. This must be aggressively pursued with the impetus of increasingly stringent carbon restrictions and problems associated with global warming.
CO2 hydrate offers a possible technology for capturing and disposal of CO2. In this technology CO2 can be captured in the form of hydrate, transported and release at great depths into the ocean. Another option is to form the hydrate in the ocean at condition that allows the hydrate to be thermodynamically stable. This paper will explore the possibility of using CO2 hydrate technology.