bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Densification and mechanical properties of liquid phase sintered tantalum
Authors: Filgueira M. , Pinatti D. G. , de Holanda J. N. F. , Gomes U. U. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThis paper has as main objective to investigate the influence of nickel (Ni), iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) addition on the tantalum (Ta) powder processing, by promoting a liquid phase sintering (LPS). The role of these metals is to lower the Ta sintering temperature, maintaining good densification and mechanical properties.Ni, Fe and Cu 1wt% additions to Ta powder were performed. Samples were cold pressed at 350 MPa. Sintering was carried out at 1300 to 2000 °C, for 1 hour, under a vacuum of 10‐6 Pa. Density, linear shrinkage and activation energy were measured and calculated. Hardness and compression tests were also conducted. Ni was the most promissing Ta LPS activator, once it enabled the best results of densification and mechanical properties.
A pilot study using nabilone for symptomatic treatment in Huntington's disease
Authors: Curtis Adrienne , Mitchell Ian , Patel Smitaa , Ives Natalie , Rickards Hugh 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPilot study of nabilone in Huntington's disease (HD). Double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over study of nabilone versus placebo. Primary outcome, Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) total motor score. Secondary measures: UHDRS subsections for chorea, cognition and behavior, and neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI). 44 randomized patients received either nabilone (1 or 2 mg) followed by placebo (n = 22), or placebo followed by nabilone (n = 22). Recruiting was straightforward. Nabilone safe and well tolerated, no psychotic episodes. Assessment of either dose of nabilone versus placebo showed a treatment difference of 0.86 (95% CI: −1.8 to 3.52) for total motor score; 1.68 (95% CI: 0.44 to 2.92) for chorea; 3.57 (95% CI: −3.41 to 10.55) for UHDRS cognition; 4.01 (95% CI: −0.11 to 8.13) for UHDRS behavior, and 6.43 (95% CI: 0.2 to 12.66) for the NPI. Larger longer RCT of nabilone in HD is feasible and warranted. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Neurological symptoms in patients with biopsy proven celiac disease
Authors: Bürk Katrin , Farecki Marie‐Louise , Lamprecht Georg , Roth Guenter , Decker Patrice , Weller Michael , Rammensee Hans‐Georg , Oertel Wolfang 
Published: October 2009

AbstractIn celiac disease (CD), the gut is the typical manifestation site but atypical neurological presentations are thought to occur in 6 to 10% with cerebellar ataxia being the most frequent symptom. Most studies in this field are focused on patients under primary neurological care. To exclude such an observation bias, patients with biopsy proven celiac disease were screened for neurological disease. A total of 72 patients with biopsy proven celiac disease (CD) (mean age 51 ± 15 years, mean disease duration 8 ± 11 years) were recruited through advertisements. All participants adhered to a gluten‐free diet. Patients were interviewed following a standard questionnaire and examined clinically for neurological symptoms. Medical history revealed neurological disorders such as migraine (28%), carpal tunnel syndrome (20%), vestibular dysfunction (8%), seizures (6%), and myelitis (3%). Interestingly, 35% of patients with CD reported of a history of psychiatric disease including depression, personality changes, or even psychosis. Physical examination yielded stance and gait problems in about one third of patients that could be attributed to afferent ataxia in 26%, vestibular dysfunction in 6%, and cerebellar ataxia in 6%. Other motor features such as basal ganglia symptoms, pyramidal tract signs, tics, and myoclonus were infrequent. 35% of patients with CD showed deep sensory loss and reduced ankle reflexes in 14%. Gait disturbances in CD do not only result from cerebellar ataxia but also from proprioceptive or vestibular impairment. Neurological problems may even develop despite strict adherence to a gluten‐free diet. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
A validation exercise on the new consensus criteria for multiple system atrophy
Authors: Osaki Yasushi , Ben‐Shlomo Yoav , Lees Andrew J. , Wenning Gregor K. , Quinn Niall P. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe revised (new) consensus clinical diagnostic criteria for multiple system atrophy (MSA) were published in 2008. To validate these criteria, we utilized the same cohort that we reported previously, which included 59 patients with a clinical diagnosis of MSA that was confirmed neuropathologically in 51 of them at the Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders. At the first clinic visit, sensitivity with new consensus possible category was higher, and PPV marginally higher, than for clinical diagnosis and old consensus possible category. New consensus probable category showed marginally higher sensitivity than, and the same PPV as, old consensus probable category. At the last clinic visit, new consensus possible category had exactly the same sensitivity and only marginally higher PPV compared with old consensus possible category. New consensus probable category showed the same sensitivity and PPV as old consensus probable category. Our data indicate that in this case material the new consensus criteria for possible MSA could improve diagnostic accuracy at first neurological evaluation compared with the old consensus criteria. Prospective clinicopathological validation studies of the new consensus criteria, particularly incorporating in vivo structural and functional imaging results, are required to extend the current findings. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
The next ten stories on antiviral drug discovery (part E): advents, advances, and adventures
Authors: De Clercq Erik 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThis review article presents the fifth part (part E) in the series of stories on antiviral drug discovery. The ten stories belonging to this fifth part are dealing with (i) aurintricarboxylic acid; (ii) alkenyldiarylmethanes; (iii) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) integrase inhibitors; (iv) lens epithelium‐derived growth factor as a potential target for HIV proviral DNA integration; (v) thestatus presensof neuraminidase inhibitors NAIs in the control of influenza virus infections; (vi) thestatus presenson respiratory syncytial virus inhibitors; (vii) tricyclic (1,N‐2‐ethenoguanine)‐based acyclovir and ganciclovir derivatives; (viii) glycopeptide antibiotics as antivirals targeted at viral entry; (ix) the potential (off‐label) use of cidofovir in the treatment of polyoma (JC and BK) virus infections; and (x) finally, thymidine phosphorylase as a target for both antiviral and anticancer agents. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 31, No. 1, 118–160, 2010
A network evolution model for the anisotropic Mullins effect
Authors: Dargazany Roozbeh , Itskov Mikhail 
Published: October 2009

AbstractIn this contribution, a micro‐mechanical constitutive model for filled rubberlike materials is proposed. Rubber network is decomposed into two parts, elastic rubber network and polymer‐filler network. As a consequence of filler contribution, the last one is subjected to damage. A non‐Gaussian strain energy function for a single chain with a constant valence angle has been postulated. Damage in different directions is governed by the corresponding maximal micro‐stretch and is considered as a result of network evolution. Directional network rearrangement as a consequence of network evolution has been employed in order to describe induced anisotropy and permanent set. The model shows good agreement with experimental data on uniaxial tension tests in two orthogonal directions. (© 2008 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Influence of interfacial adhesion on the structural and mechanical behavior of PP‐banana/glass hybrid composites
Authors: Nayak Sanjay K. , Mohanty Smita , Samal Sushanta K. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractHybrid composites of polypropylene (PP), reinforced with short banana and glass fibers were fabricated using Haake torque rheocord followed by compression molding with and without the presence maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) as a coupling agent. Incorporation of both fibers into PP matrix resulted in increase of tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact strength upto 30 wt% with an optimum strength observed at 2 wt% MAPP treated 15 wt% banana and 15 wt% glass fiber. The rate of water absorption for the hybrid composites was decreased due to the presence of glass fiber and coupling agent. The effect of fiber loading in presence of coupling agent on the dynamic mechanical properties has been analyzed to investigate the interfacial properties. An increase in storage modulus (E′) of the treated‐composite indicates higher stiffness. The loss tangent (tan δ) spectra confirms a strong influence of fiber loading and coupling agent concentration on the α and β relaxation process of PP. The nature of fiber matrix adhesion was examined through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the tensile fractured specimen. Thermal measurements were carried out through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), indicated an increase in the crystallization temperature and thermal stability of PP with the incorporation of MAPP‐treated banana and glass fiber. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1247–1257, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Triboelectrification electrostatic potential of graphite/monomer casting nylon composites under dry sliding: Correlation with electrical resistivity and wear mechanisms
Authors: Jian Lingqi , Ning Liping , Yang Shengrong , Wang Jianmin , Hua Minqi 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe variations of triboelectrification electrostatic potential of graphite (GP)/monomer casting (MC) nylon composites under plane contact dry sliding were investigated and the correlation with electrical resistivity and wear mechanisms were studied. MC nylon could be modified as excellent anti‐triboelectrification materials by a proper addition of GP, although unfilled MC nylon was inclined to generate higher triboelectrification electrostatic potential after friction due to the high electrical resistivity. The triboelectrification electrostatic potential and electrical resistivity of composites can be predicted by the content control of GP. The incorporation of GP filler made considerable contributions, which not only reduced and stabilized the triboelectrification electrostatic potential of composites but also enhanced their lubricating properties and the friction heat dissipation. The influences of PV‐values on the triboelectrification electrostatic potential of composites were less than that of electrical resistivity. Although the severe wear and the formation of transfer films resulted in triboelectrification electrostatic potential of unfilled MC nylon abruptly dropping shortly after the beginning of friction under the high PV‐values, it was conductive property, particle shape and size, distribution and dispersion of GP fillers, and density of conductive network built by GP flakes that played the dominant role in deciding triboelectrification electrostatic potential of composites under various PV‐values. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1369–1377, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Kinetics and thermodynamics of isothermal curing reaction of epoxy‐4, 4′‐diaminoazobenzene reinforced with nanosilica and nanoclay particles
Authors: Barghamadi M. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe kinetics of the cure reaction for a system of bisphenol‐A epoxy resin (DGEBA), with 4, 4′‐diaminoazobenzene (DAAB), reinforced with nanosilica (NS), and nanoclay (NC) by means of isothermal technique of differential scanning calorimetry were studied. The Kamal autocatalytic‐like kinetic model was used to estimate the reaction orders (m, n), rate constants (k1, k2), and also active energies (Ea) and pre‐exponential factors (A) of the curing reaction. However, the existence of NS and NC with hydroxyl groups in the structure improves the cure reaction and influence the rate of reaction and therefore kinetics parameters. The Ea of cure reaction of DGEBA/DAAB system showed a decrease when nanoparticles were present and therefore the rate of the reaction was increased. Using the rate constants from the kinetic analysis and transition state theory, thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy (ΔH#), entropy (ΔS#), and Gibbs free energy (ΔG#) changes were also calculated. The thermodynamic functions were shown to be very sensitive parameters for evaluation of the cure reaction. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1442–1448, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of early onset primary dystonia I in maternal plasma
Authors: Meaney Cathy , Norbury G. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractObjectiveThe genetic trait of a fetus may be determined early on in pregnancy using cell‐free fetal DNA extracted from the plasma of pregnant women. The challenges for noninvasive diagnosis include the variable but still low amount of cell‐free fetal DNA in the first trimester (57–761 gE/mL) and the competing high background of maternal DNA in the plasma (∼90%). Prenatal detection of a paternally inherited dystonia 3 bp deletion mutation was undertaken using cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) from the plasma of two at‐risk pregnancies. The predicted fetal genotype was subsequently confirmed in each fetus.MethodCell‐free fetal DNA was extracted from the plasma of two pregnancies between 8 and 9 weeks' gestation as determined by fetal ultrasound scan. Analysis was by PCR amplification with size separation using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and detection by ethidium bromide staining.ResultsIn both pregnancies the c.904_906delGAG DYT1 mutation was detected in the maternal plasma and then confirmed in the subsequent fetal tissue verifying that the fetus had inherited the paternal mutation.ConclusionThe detection of a paternally inherited DYT1 mutation in maternal plasma was undertaken using simple, rapid, and inexpensive techniques with minimal risk of contamination. Further developments in the enrichment for fetal cfDNA will enhance the detection of point mutations in monogenic disorders. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Validation of diagnostic codes for outpatient‐originating sudden cardiac death and ventricular arrhythmia in Medicaid and Medicare claims data
Authors: Hennessy Sean , Leonard Charles E. , Freeman Cristin P. , Deo Rajat , Newcomb Craig , Kimmel Stephen E. , Strom Brian L. , Bilker Warren B. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPurposeSudden cardiac death (SD) and ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) caused by medications have arisen as an important public health concern in recent years. The validity of diagnostic codes in identifying SD/VA events originating in the ambulatory setting is not well known. This study examined the positive predictive value (PPV) of hospitalization and emergency department encounter diagnoses in identifying SD/VA events originating in the outpatient setting.MethodsWe selected random samples of hospitalizations and emergency department claims with principal or first‐listed discharge diagnosis codes indicative of SD/VA in individuals contributing at least 6 months of baseline time within 1999–2002 Medicaid and Medicare data from five large states. We then obtained and reviewed medical records corresponding to these events to serve as the reference standard.ResultsWe identified 5239 inpatient and 29 135 emergency department events, randomly selected 100 of each, and obtained 119 medical records, 116 of which were for the requested courses of care. The PPVs for an outpatient‐originating SD/VA precipitating hospitalization or emergency department treatment were 85.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 77.6–91.2) overall, 79.7% (95%CI = 68.3–88.4) for hospitalization claims, and 93.6% (95%CI = 82.5–98.7) for emergency department claims.ConclusionsFirst‐listed SD/VA diagnostic codes identified in inpatient or emergency department encounters had very good agreement with clinical diagnoses and functioned well to identify outpatient‐originating events. Researchers using such codes can be confident of the PPV when conducting studies of SD/VA originating in the outpatient setting. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two‐dimensional crystals of carboxysome shell proteins recapitulate the hexagonal packing of three‐dimensional crystals
Authors: Dryden Kelly A. , Crowley Christopher S. , Tanaka Shiho , Yeates Todd O. , Yeager Mark 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBacterial microcompartments (BMCs) are large intracellular bodies that serve as simple organelles in many bacteria. They are proteinaceous structures composed of key enzymes encapsulated by a polyhedral protein shell. In previous studies, the organization of these large shells has been inferred from the conserved packing of the component shell proteins in two‐dimensional (2D) layers within the context of three‐dimensional (3D) crystals. Here, we show that well‐ordered, 2D crystals of carboxysome shell proteins assemble spontaneously when His‐tagged proteins bind to a monolayer of nickelated lipid molecules at an air–water interface. The molecular packing within the 2D crystals recapitulates the layered hexagonal sheets observed in 3D crystals. The results reinforce current models for the molecular design of BMC shells.
Dissection of a β‐barrel motif leads to a functional dimer: The case of the intestinal fatty acid binding protein
Authors: Franchini Gisela R. , Curto Lucrecia M. , Caramelo Julio J. , María Delfino José 
Published: October 2009

AbstractA lingering issue in the area of protein engineering is the optimal design of β motifs. In this regard, the framework provided by intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP) was successfully chosen to explore the consequences on structure and function of the redesign of natural motifs. A truncated form of IFABP (Δ98Δ) served to illustrate the nonintuitive notion that the integrity of the β‐barrel can indeed be compromised with no effect on the ability to attain a native‐like fold. This is most likely the outcome of the key role played by the preservation of essential core residues. In the search for the minimal structural determinants of this fold, Δ98Δ offered room for further intervention. A dissection of this protein leads to a new abridged variant, Δ78Δ, containing 60% of the amino acids of IFABP. Spectroscopic analyses indicate that Δ78Δ retains substantial β‐sheet content and preserves tertiary interactions, displaying cooperative unfolding and binding activity. Most strikingly, this construct adopts a remarkably stable dimeric structure in solution. This phenomenon takes advantage of the inherent structural plasticity of this motif, likely profitting from edge‐to‐edge interactions between β‐sheets, whereas avoiding the most commonly occurring outcome represented by aggregation.
Structural and functional characterization of a triple mutant form of S100A7 defective for Jab1 binding
Authors: West Nathan R. , Farnell Benjamin , Murray Jill I. , Hof Fraser , Watson Peter H. , Boulanger Martin J. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractS100A7 (psoriasin) is a calcium‐ and zinc‐binding protein implicated in breast cancer. We have shown previously that S100A7 enhances survival mechanisms in breast cells through an interaction with c‐jun activation domain binding protein 1 (Jab1), and an engineered S100A7 triple mutant (Asp56Gly, Leu78Met, and Gln88Lys—S100A73) ablates Jab1 binding. We extend these results to include defined breast cancer cell lines and demonstrate a disrupted S100A73/Jab1 phenotype is maintained. To establish the basis for the abrogated Jab1 binding, we have recombinantly produced S100A73, demonstrated that it retains the ability to form an exceptionally thermostable dimer, and solved the three dimensional crystal structure to 1.6 Å. Despite being positioned at the dimer interface, the Leu78Met mutation is easily accommodated and contributes to a methionine‐rich pocket formed by Met12, Met15, and Met34. In addition to altering the surface charge, the Gln88Lys mutation results in a nearby rotameric shift in Tyr85, leading to a substantially reorganized surface cavity and may influence zinc binding. The final mutation of Asp56 to Gly results in the largest structural perturbation shortening helix IV by one full turn. It is noteworthy that position 56 lies in one of two divergent clusters between S100A7 and the functionally distinct yet highly homologous S100A15. The structure of S100A73 provides a unique perspective from which to characterize the S100A7‐Jab1 interaction and better understand the distinct functions between S100A7, and it is closely related paralog S100A15.
Probing exciton propagation and quenching in carbon nanotubes with near‐field optical microscopy
Authors: Georgi Carsten , Böhmler Miriam , Qian Huihong , Novotny Lukas , Hartschuh Achim 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe report on near‐field optical imaging of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), observing photoluminescence (PL) quenching at nanotube ends and defects. The extension of reduced PL reflects the exciton diffusion length of about 100 nm, which can be directly visualized with our technique. Additionally, we model the complete imaging process, including exciton diffusion and tip‐induced rate enhancement, for a deeper understanding of the experimental data and the determination of, e.g. diffusion length and tip enhancement from near‐field PL images.
Raman spectroscopy study of Ar+ bombardment in highly oriented pyrolytic graphite
Authors: Jorio Ado , Lucchese Marcia M. , Stavale Fernando , Achete Carlos A. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractIn this work, we discuss the effect of low energy Ar+ ion bombardment on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). The evolution of the G and D peak intensities are analyzed as a function of ion dose, as well as the evolution of a broad density‐of‐states (DOS)‐like background. For low ion doses, a small D band is observed. It increases and finally gives place to the broad DOS‐like feature. The ID/IG analysis clearly shows three distinct regimes. No frequency shifts are observed, indicating sp2 bondings are mostly preserved. Comparison between preliminary work on single‐layer graphene and HOPG shows the effect observed in HOPG is limited to the top surface.
Toward a consistent reanalysis of the upper stratosphere based on radiance measurements from SSU and AMSU‐A
Authors: Kobayashi Shinya , Matricardi Marco , Dee Dick , Uppala Sakari 
Published: October 2009

AbstractRadiance measurements from the Stratospheric Sounding Unit (SSU) and the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU‐A) are the primary source of information for stratospheric temperature in reanalyses of the satellite era. To improve the time consistency of the reanalyses, radiance biases need to be properly understood and accounted for in the assimilation system. The investigation of intersatellite differences between SSU and AMSU‐A radiance observations shows that these differences are not accurately reproduced by the operational version of the radiative transfer model for the TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (RTTOV‐8). We found that this deficiency in RTTOV was mainly due to the treatment of the Zeeman effect (splitting of the oxygen absorption lines at 60 GHz) and to changes in the spectral response function of the SSU instrument that are not represented in RTTOV. On this basis we present a revised version of RTTOV that can reproduce SSU and AMSU‐A intersatellite radiance differences more accurately.Assimilation experiments performed with the revised version of RTTOV in a four‐dimensional variational analysis system (4D‐Var) show some improvements in the stratospheric temperature analysis. However, significant jumps in the stratospheric temperature analysis still occur when switching satellites, which is due to the fact that systematic errors in the forecast model are only partially constrained by observations. Using a one‐dimensional retrieval equation, we show that both the extent and vertical structure of the partial bias corrections must inevitably change when the nature of the radiance measurement changes with the transition from SSU to AMSU‐A. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society