bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combining atomic force and fluorescence microscopy for analysis of quantum‐dot labeled protein–DNA complexes
Authors: Ebenstein Yuval , Gassman Natalie , Kim Soohong , Weiss Shimon 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAtomic force microscopy (AFM) and fluorescence microscopy are widely used for the study of protein‐DNA interactions. While AFM excels in its ability to elucidate structural detail and spatial arrangement, it lacks the ability to distinguish between similarly sized objects in a complex system. This information is readily accessible to optical imaging techniques via site‐specific fluorescent labels, which enable the direct detection and identification of multiple components simultaneously. Here, we show how the utilization of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), serving as contrast agents for both AFM topography and fluorescence imaging, facilitates the combination of both imaging techniques, and with the addition of a flow based DNA extension method for sample deposition, results in a powerful tool for the study of protein‐DNA complexes. We demonstrate the inherent advantages of this novel combination of techniques by imaging individual RNA polymerases (RNAP) on T7 genomic DNA. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Susceptibility to corrosion damage of pipeline steels under coating disbondments
Authors: Guermazi N. , Ibrahmi A. , Hmidi H. , Elleuch K. , Ayedi H. F. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThis study provides an experimental investigation on the corrosion behaviour of three carbon steels used for pipeline application. The susceptibility of these materials to corrosion damage was analysed in order to simulate its service conditions particularly under disbonded coating. Monitoring of open‐circuit potential (Efree), polarization resistance (Rp) and measuring of the weight loss during immersion time were used to evaluate the corrosion behaviour of the studied materials. All the corrosion experiments were performed in two aqueous solutions: natural seawater and synthetic one (3 wt% NaCl solution). The morphology of the corrosion products was examined by optical microscopy. The results obtained from electrochemical tests have shown different behaviour for the studied steels into the retained corrosive environments: more stable potentials (Efree), higher Rp‐values with large fluctuations evolution were found in natural seawater. The gravimetric measurements have also shown a continuous variation of the weight loss throughout the exposure period in the sodium chloride solution. However, it seemed that a passive behaviour was observed in natural seawater. A little difference was observed between all the studied steels in terms of corrosion kinetics. The steel, having the little ferritic grain size, seems to be more resistant to corrosion damage. Qualitatively, a porous and non‐adherent oxide film was observed on the corroded surface in the synthetic solution; while, the rust layer, which is formed in the natural seawater, has acted as a barrier of corrosion process. Finally, all the results obtained from both electrochemical tests and weight loss measurements were in reasonably good accordance. The important common point that can be concluded was that all the tested materials seem to be more suitable for natural seawater than 3 wt% NaCl solution. Also, they are not recommendable to be used in an environment where chloride attack is possible and important.
The influence of CaCO3 filler component on thermal decomposition process of PP/LDPE/DAP ternary blend
Authors: Doğan Fatih , Şirin Kamil , Kaya İsmet , Balcan Mehmet 
Published: May 2009

AbstractPolypropylene‐low density polyethylene (PP‐LDPE) blends involving PP‐LDPE (90/10 wt%.) with (0.06 wt%) dialkyl peroxide (DAP) and different amounts (5, 10, 20 wt%) of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) were prepared by melt‐blending with a single‐screw extruder. The effect of addition of CaCO3 on thermal decomposition process and kinetic parameters, such as activation energy and pre‐exponential factor of PP‐LDPE blend with DAP matrix, was studied. The kinetics of the thermal degradation of composites was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis in dynamic nitrogen atmosphere at different heating rates. TG curves showed that the thermal decomposition of composites occurred in one weight‐loss stage. The apparent activation energies of thermal decomposition for composites, as determined by the Tang method (TM), the Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose method (KAS), the Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method (FWO), and the Coats–Redfern (CR) method were 156.6, 156.0, 159.8, and 167.7 kJ.mol−1 for the thermal decomposition of composite with 5 wt% CaCO3, 191.5, 190.8, 193.1, and 196.8 kJ.mol−1 for the thermal decomposition of composite with 10 wt% CaCO3, and 206.3, 206.1, 207.5, and 203.8 kJ mol−1 for the thermal decomposition of composite with 20 wt% CaCO3, respectively. The most likely decomposition process for weight‐loss stages of composites with CaCO3 content 5 and 10 wt% was an An sigmoidal type. However, the most likely decomposition process for composite with CaCO3 content 20 wt% was an Rn contracted geometry shape type in terms of the CR and master plots results. It was also found that the thermal stability, activation energy, and thermal decomposition process were changed with the increase in the CaCO3 filler weight in composite structure. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A prospect‐theory approach to the Kelly criterion for fat‐tail portfolios: the case of Student's t‐distribution
Authors: Osorio Roberto 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAn analytic approximation is derived for leverage levels that result from optimization of the logarithmic utility function associated with the Kelly criterion. An extension of this approximation, for the case of returns drawn from Student's t‐distribution, is then provided for a prospect‐theory approach to the problem, where the log‐utility function is replaced by a log‐prospect function with power decision weights, intended to give increased weights to low‐probability events. It is shown how the traditional “fractional‐Kelly” rule arises as a special case of this “prospect‐Kelly” approach. Copyright © 2009 Wilmott Magazine Ltd
Local calibration of separable BGM models and finite difference pricing of Libor and CMS spread based exotics
Authors: Ng Leslie 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBGM interest rate models are popular due to their ability to capture a wide range of volatility and correlation structures. Efficient procedures are available for calibrating a BGM model to swaption volatilities and instantaneous correlations between forward rates. Pieterz, Pelsser and van Regenmortel (2004) showed that with the use of drift approximations, a BGM model with a separable volatility structure can be approximated by a low‐dimensional Markov process allowing for the use of more efficient finite difference methods. However, separable BGM models are not as flexible as more general BGM models and are not as easy to calibrate. We present procedures for calibrating separable multi‐factor BGM models to trade relevant quantities (such as volatilities and terminal correlations). We compare results obtained using a separable BGM model with those using a more general BGM model for a variety of test trades. We pay particular attention to correlation sensitive CMS spread linked trades and address some issues specific for these types of products. Copyright © 2009 Wilmott Magazine Ltd
From a domain analysis to the specification and detection of code and design smells
Authors: Moha Naouel , Guéhéneuc Yann-Gaël , Meur Anne-Françoise Le , Duchien Laurence , Tiberghien Alban 
Published: May 2009

Abstract

Code and design smells are recurring design problems in software systems that must be identified to avoid their possible negative consequences on development and maintenance. Consequently, several smell detection approaches and tools have been proposed in the literature. However, so far, they allow the detection of predefined smells but the detection of new smells or smells adapted to the context of the analysed systems is possible only by implementing new detection algorithms manually. Moreover, previous approaches do not explain the transition from specifications of smells to their detection. Finally, the validation of the existing approaches and tools has been limited on few proprietary systems and on a reduced number of smells. In this paper, we introduce an approach to automate the generation of detection algorithms from specifications written using a domain-specific language. This language is defined from a thorough domain analysis. It allows the specification of smells using high-level domain-related abstractions. It allows the adaptation of the specifications of smells to the context of the analysed systems. We specify 10 smells, generate automatically their detection algorithms using templates, and validate the algorithms in terms of precision and recall on
Xerces
v2.7.0 and
GanttProject
v1.10.2, two open-source object-oriented systems. We also compare the detection results with those of a previous approach,
iPlasma
.
Local and Systemic Consequences of Large Retroperitoneal Clot Burdens
Authors: Loor Gabriel , Bassiouny Hisham , Valentin Carl , Shao Michael Y. , Funaki Brian , Desai Tina 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackgroundThere is a paucity of data regarding the impact of retroperitoneal hematoma (RPH) volumes, as detected by computed tomography (CT) scanning, on patient morbidity and mortality. Therefore, we wanted to determine the natural history of RPHs and the effect of size on local and systemic outcomes.MethodsWe performed a volumetric analysis of CT‐documented RPHs managed at our institution between 1985 and 2006 along with a retrospective chart review.ResultsWe included 81 cases of RPH in this study. The mean Acute Physiology, Age, and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score was 12.8 ± 0.72 (score ± SE). By univariate analysis, the size of the hematoma showed a significant correlation with the development of local mass effects, delayed mass effects, 6‐month mortality, major morbidity, pulmonary complications, fluid overload, and the requirement for operative evacuation (p < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that a size ≥1600 cm3 was >80% sensitive and specific for predicting a delayed mass effect or an increase in 6‐month mortality. Multivariate analysis controlling for factors such as APACHE II and packed red blood cells transfused showed that the volume of the RPH was an independent predictor for the development of local mass effects, pulmonary insufficiency, and fluid overload.ConclusionsLarge RPHs are clearly associated with worse patient outcomes. Surgical intervention may be warranted for the treatment of RPHs ≥1600 cm3.
Endovascular Stent‐Graft Repair of Mycotic Aneurysms of the Aorta: A Case Series with a 22‐Month Follow‐Up
Authors: Zhou Tao , Guo Daqiao , Chen Bin , Jiang Junhao , Fu Weiguo , Wang Yuqi 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of the present study was to present a single‐institution series of patients with mycotic aneurysms of the aorta treated with endovascular stent‐graft technology, and to report the efficacy and short‐term durability of this repair.MethodsA retrospective review of seven consecutive patients with mycotic aneurysms of the aorta treated with stent‐graft between May 2006 and July 2007. Patients were diagnosed based on typical appearance of imaging together with a positive bacteriology culture or clinical evidence of infection. A bifurcated, aorto‐uni‐iliac (AUI) stent‐graft and cuff were used in the endovascular repair after infection control. The follow‐up protocol included regular clinical examination, hematologic tests, and computed tomography scans at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months.ResultsEndovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) was performed successfully in the seven patients (all men, median age 56 years), with complete exclusion of the aneurysms. Five of the patients had infrarenal aortic aneurysms, and the other two had descending thoracic aortic aneurysms. The median hospital stay was 22 days, with no hospital deaths. No paraplegia or other major complications occurred. The patients remained well, with no evidence of graft infection at a mean follow‐up of 22.7 months (range: 17–26 months). A significant reduction in the diameter of the aneurysm sac was noted on computed tomography scans in all the patients at 1 year (mean: 6.5 mm; range: 3–40 mm).ConclusionsEndovascular stent‐graft treatment represents an alternative treatment with acceptable short‐term outcomes for patients with mycotic aneurysms of the aorta.
Endogenous protease inhibitor uptake within the graft during reperfusion in human liver transplantation
Authors: Ilmakunnas Minna , Höckerstedt Krister , Mäkisalo Heikki , Siitonen Sanna , Repo Heikki , Pesonen Eero J. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackgroundIn experimental liver transplantation, endogenous protease inhibitors alleviate ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury by inhibiting proteolysis and by direct anti‐inflammatory actions. We described the kinetics of endogenous protease inhibitors and explored their anti‐inflammatory potential during reperfusion and their effects on graft function in human liver transplantation.MethodsWe measured circulating levels of protease inhibitors (secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor, SLPI; tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases‐1, TIMP‐1) and proteolytic enzymes (elastase; matrix metalloproteinase‐9, MMP‐9) with ELISA, and neutrophil and monocyte CD11b andl‐selectin expression with flow cytometry during liver transplantation in ten patients. To assess changes within the graft during reperfusion, blood samples from portal and hepatic veins were obtained simultaneously.ResultsCirculating SLPI and TIMP‐1 levels decreased during surgery. During initial reperfusion, the transhepatic SLPI gradient was −27 (−35 to −22) ng/ml,P = 0.005, and TIMP‐1 −510 (−636 to −362) ng/ml,P = 0.005, indicating graft protease inhibitor uptake. Concomitantly, hepatic phagocyte activation and sequestration as well as elastase and MMP‐9 release into the circulation occurred. The transhepatic SLPI gradient correlated with postoperative liver enzymes (ALTR = −0.648,P = 0.043; ALPR = −0.661,P = 0.038; bilirubinR = −0.821,P = 0.004; GGTR = −0.648,P = 0.043).ConclusionsThe results suggest a relative shortage of protease inhibitors within the liver during reperfusion, which may contribute to the development of graft injury.
Synthesis and Some Properties of Fluorinated Cationic Surfactants
Authors: Mohamed M. Z. , Mohamed A. S. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThree fluorinated cationic surfactants were prepared by condensing N‐methyl diethanol amine pentafluoro benzoate with stoichiometric amounts of octyl, dodecyl or hexadecyl bromide. The surface properties and parameters were investigated to find the relationship between the structures of the hydrophobic portion of such compounds. The properties studied include surface tension, critical micelle concentration (CMC), effectiveness (Πcmc), maximum surface excess (Γmax) and minimum surface area (Amin) were investigated with respect to different concentrations at 25 °C. Standard free energies of micellization and adsorption of the prepared surfactants in the aqueous solution were studied. The values of Γmax, standard free energies of micellization and adsorption were found to increase with the chain length, while the cmc and minimum surface area occupied by one molecule Amin were found to decrease. The biocidal activity was determined through the inhibition zone diameter of prepared compounds which were measured against five strains of a representative group of microorganisms.
Effects of a gluten-free diet on gut microbiota and immune function in healthy adult human subjects
Authors: De Palma Giada , Nadal Inmaculada , Collado Maria Carmen , Sanz Yolanda 
Published: May 2009

Diet influences the composition of the gut microbiota and host's health, particularly in patients suffering from food-related diseases. Coeliac disease (CD) is a permanent intolerance to cereal gluten proteins and the only therapy for the patients is to adhere to a life-long gluten-free diet (GFD). In the present preliminary study, the effects of a GFD on the composition and immune function of the gut microbiota were analysed in ten healthy subjects (mean age 30·3 years) over 1 month. Faecal microbiota was analysed by fluorescencein situhybridisation (FISH) and quantitative PCR (qPCR). The ability of faecal bacteria to stimulate cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was determined by ELISA. No significant differences in dietary intake were found before and after the GFD except for reductions (P = 0·001) in polysaccharides.Bifidobacterium,Clostridium lituseburenseandFaecalibacterium prausnitziiproportions decreased (P = 0·007,P = 0·031 andP = 0·009, respectively) as a result of the GFD analysed by FISH.Bifidobacterium,LactobacillusandBifidobacterium longumcounts decreased (P = 0·020,P = 0·001 andP = 0·017, respectively), whileEnterobacteriaceaeandEscherichia colicounts increased (P = 0·005 andP = 0·003) after the GFD assessed by qPCR. TNF-α, interferon-γ, IL-10 and IL-8 production by PBMC stimulated with faecal samples was also reduced (P = 0·021,P = 0·037,P = 0·002 andP = 0·007, respectively) after the diet. Therefore, the GFD led to reductions in beneficial gut bacteria populations and the ability of faecal samples to stimulate the host's immunity. Thus, the GFD may constitute an environmental variable to be considered in treated CD patients for its possible effects on gut health.
On maximal nilpotent subrings of right Noetherian rings
Authors: Michler Gerhard 
Published: May 2009

Applying Hopkins's Theorem asserting that each unitary right Artinian ring is right Noetherian, G. Köthe and K. Shoda proved the following theorem (cf. Köthe [7], p. 360, Theorem 1 and p. 363, Theorem 5): If R is a unitary right Artinian ring, then the following statements hold:(i) Each nilpotent subring of R is contained in a maximal nilpotent subring of R.(ii) The intersection of all maximal nilpotent subrings of R is the maximal nilpotent twosided ideal of R.(iii) All maximal nilpotent subrings of R are conjugate.
Translational hull and semigroups of binary relations
Authors: Petrich Mario 
Published: May 2009

Various semigroups of partial transformations (and more generally, semigroups of binary relations) on a set have been studied by a number of Soviet mathematicians; to mention only a few: Gluskin [2], Ljapin [4], Shutov [6], Zaretski [7], [8]. In their study the densely embedded ideal of a semigroup introduced by Ljapin [4] plays a central role. In fact, a concrete semigrouQis described in several instances by its abstract characteristic, namely either by a set of postulates on an abstract semigroup or by a set of postulates (which are usually much simpler) on an abstract semigroup S which is a densely embedded ideal of a semigroupTisomorphic toQ. In many cases, the densely embedded idealSis a completely 0-simple semigroup. The following theorem [3, 1.7.1] reduces the study of a semigroupQwith a weakly reductive densely embedded ideal S to the study of the translational hull ofS:Theorem (Gluskin).If S is a weakly reductive densely embedded ideal of a semigroup Q, then Q is isomorphic to the translational hullω(S)of S.
On the prime factors of the number 2p-1 - 1
Authors: Rotkiewicz A. 
Published: May 2009

From the proof of Theorem 2 of [5] it follows that for every positive integer k there exist infinitely many primes p in the arithmetical progression ax + b (x = 0, 1, 2,…), where a and b are relatively prime positive integers, such that the number 2p−1 − 1 has at least k composite factors of the form (p − 1)x + 1. The following question arises:For any given natural number k, do there exist infinitely many primes p such that the number 2p−1 − 1 has k prime factors of the form(p − 1)x + 1 and p ≡ b (mod a), where a and b are coprime positive integers?
Elements of finite order in free product sixth-groups
Authors: McCool James 
Published: May 2009

A free product sixth-group (FPS-group) is, roughly speaking, a free product of groups with a number of additional defining relators, where, if two of these relators have a subword in common, then the length of this subword is less than one sixth of the lengths of either of the two relators.Britton [1,2] has proved a general algebraic result for FPS-groups and has used this result in a discussion of the word problem for such groups.
Simple proof of a theorem on permanents
Authors: Djoković D. Ž. 
Published: May 2009

Let A = (aij) be an n × n complex matrix. The permanent of this matrix iswhere the sum is taken over all permutations p of the set {1, …, n}.In a recent paper [1] E. H. Lieb proved an interesting theorem (see below) which he applied to verify some conjectures of M. Marcus and M. Newman. The purpose of this note is to give a simple proof of Lieb's theorem.
The evaluation functionals associated with an algebra of bounded operators
Authors: Duncan J. 
Published: May 2009

In this note we shall employ the notation of [1] without further mention. Thus X denotes a normed space and P the subset of X × X′ given byGiven a subalgebra of B(X), the set {Φ(X,f):(x,f) ∈ P} of evaluation functional on is denoted by II. We shall prove that if X is a Banach space and if contains all the bounded operators of finite rank, then Π is norm closed in ′. We give an example to show that Π need not be weak* closed in ″. We show also that FT need not be norm closed in ″ if X is not complete.
Packing of spheres in lp
Authors: Spence E. 
Published: May 2009

The Banach space lp(p≥1) is the space of all infinite sequences x = (x1, x2, x3, …) of real or complex numbers such that is convergent, with the norm defined byThe unit sphere S of lp is the set of all points x ∈ lp with ∥x∥ ≤ 1 and the sphere of radius a ≥ 0 centred at y ∈ lp is denoted by Sa(y), so that
Remarks on the Asymptotic Behaviour of Perturbed Linear Systems
Authors: Wong James S. W. 
Published: May 2009

Remarks 1, 3 and 5 are incorrect as stated. They should be supplemented by the following observations:(i) In case the perturbing term is linear in y, i.e. f(t, y) = B(t)y, the conclusion of Theorem 1 will follow from Lemma 1 when applied to equation (15) if we assume, instead of (6),The hypothesis given in Trench's theorem is sufficient to imply (*) but not (6). A similar comment applies to Remark 5.
On the natural ordering of -classes and of idempotents in a regular semigroup
Authors: Hall T. E. 
Published: May 2009

In this paper we prove the following:Let S be a regular semigroup anda, bany elements of S such that Jb = ≦ Ja. Then, for each idempotent e∈Ja, there exists an idempotent f∈ Jb such that f = ≦e.
A stability condition for nth order difference equations
Authors: Smith Russell A. 
Published: May 2009

Consider the system of difference equationsin which the unknown x(t) is a complex m-vector, t is a real variable and a1, …, an are complex m × m matrices whose elements are functions of t, x(t), x(t+1), …, x(t+n – 1). A positive definite hermitian form V(x1x2, …, xn), with constant coefficients, is called a strong autonomous quadratic Lyapunov function (written strong AQLF) of (1) if there exists a constant K > 1 such that K2v(t+1) < v(t) for all non-zero solutions x(t)of (1), where v(t) = V(x(t), x(t+ 1), …, x(t+n —1)). The existence of a strong AQLF is a sufficient condition for the trivial solution x =0 of (1) to be globally asymptotically stable. It is a necessary condition only in the special case of an equation
Generalized semigroups of quotients
Authors: Berthiaume Pierre 
Published: May 2009

In ([6]; pages 36–41), Lambek constructs the maximal ring of quotients Q(R) of a commutative ring R by denning a multiplication on Homr(D, R) where D ranges over all the dense ideals of R, and this generalizes the classical construction of ring of quotients, (cf. [6] for all the references on the subject.)This programme is carried over, in the first section of this article, to the categoryof commutative reductive semigroups. Examples show that the maximal semigroup of quotients of a commutative monoid can be different from the classical one.