bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of solvent on the viscosity changes of coal‐oil slurry under high temperature–high pressure during heating
Authors: Ren Yingjie , Song Lei , Zhang Dexiang , Gao Jinsheng , Xu Hong 
Published: July 2009

AbstractHeating coal‐oil slurry is an important step in direct coal liquefaction. Some physical and chemical properties and the viscosity of coal‐oil slurry will be the changes in the heating process. A self‐manufactured rotary viscometer that can measure the viscosity of coal slurry at high‐pressure temperature was designed. Two kinds of solvents including anthracene oil, Shenhua recycled oil (the catalytic hydrogenation products of Shenhua direct coal liquefaction) and Yanzhou coal were used. The results show that the viscosity of Yanzhou coal‐anthracene oil and Shenhua recycled oil slurry decrease firstly with the decreasing of solvent viscosity, then increase with measuring temperature for the absorption and volatilization of the solvent in atmosphere. Both of them have a viscosity peak with increasing measuring temperature in atmosphere. However, the Yanzhou coal‐anthracene oil slurry has a viscosity peak at about 583 K under high pressure during heating, while the Yanzhou coal‐Shenhua recycled oil slurry does not have a viscosity peak, but coke deposits appear at 623 K and above, under high pressure. In addition, the viscosity–temperature characteristics of thermally treated coal‐oil slurry at different temperatures are the same; both have a viscosity peak with increasing heating temperature at the same measuring temperature. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry for the quantitative analysis of vinca‐alkaloids in biological matrices: a concise survey from the literature
Authors: Damen Carola W. N. , Rosing Hilde , Schellens Jan H. M. , Beijnen Jos H. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe bioanalysis of vinca‐alkaloids has been investigated extensively. High‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to ultraviolet, fluorescence or electrochemical detection have been described. During recent years liquid chromato‐graphy coupled with mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) has become the first choice for the quantitative bioanalysis of the vinca anticancer agents. This paper reviews recent methods for the bio‐analysis of vinca‐alkaloids using LC‐MS, supplemented with our own experience. We will focus on sample pre‐treatment, chromatography and MS detection and pay attention to problems which can occur during the bioanalysis of vinca‐alkaloids. These problems encounter carry‐over and absorption effects and solutions will be provided how to circumvent these problems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metabonomic profiling of liver metabolites by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and its application to characterizing hyperlipidemia
Authors: Gu Shenghua , A Jiye , Wang Guangji , Zha Weibin , Yan Bei , Zhang Ying , Ren Hongcan , Cao Bei , Liu Linsheng 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe measurement of metabolites in tissues is of great importance in metabonomic research in the biomedical sciences, providing more relevant information than is available from systemic biofluids. The liver is the most important organ/tissue for most biochemical reactions, and the metabolites in the liver are of great interest to scientists. To develop an optimized extraction method and comprehensive profiling technique for liver metabolites, organic solvents of various compositions were designed using design of experiments to extract metabolites from the liver, and the metabolites were profiled by gas chromatography/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (GC/TOF‐MS). The resolved peak areas were processed by principle components analysis, partial least‐squares projections to latent structures, and discriminant analysis. The results suggest the highest extraction efficiency was for methanol–water, which maximized the majority of GC/TOF‐MS responses. The optimal solvent was applied to extract metabolites in liver of hyperlipidemia hamster and the control. The GC/TOF‐MS profiles of liver metabolites showed obvious differences between hyperlipidemic hamsters and controls. A comparison of liver and serum data from the same animals identified common biomarkers and presented complementary information. Our results suggest that liver metabonomics is a valuable technique and that the combined analysis of systematic biofluids and local tissues is meaningful and complementary, recovering more comprehensive metabonomic data than either analysis alone. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Characterization of Amino‐functionalized Meso‐ porous Silicate MCM‐41 for Removal of Toxic Metal Ions
Authors: HAMID Sepehrian , SYED Waqif‐Husain , MOHAMMAD Ghannadi‐Maragheh 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAmino‐functionalized MCM‐41 has been prepared by grafting amino containing functional groups onto mesoporous silicate MCM‐41 and characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction, N2 adsorption/desorption measurement, SEM, FT‐IR, thermogravimetry and elemental analysis to confirm the ordered mesoporous structure and the functionalization of the amino groups. Sorption behavior for 18 metal ions on this sorbent has been studied and discussed.
An evaluation of two‐dimensional echocardiography in the diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Ballester M. , Rees S. , Rickards A. F. , Mcdonald L. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractVarious anatomical and functional features of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are analyzed in view of the data provided by two‐dimensional echocardiography. Measurement of septal thickness is crucial, and is best done by a combination of M‐Mode and 2‐D echo. Two types of systolic anterior movement of the mitral valve (SAM) are observed and are related to the degree of sub‐valvular gradient. The specificity of these patterns of SAM is analyzed. The functional anatomy of the mitral valve in relation to the presence and degree of mitral regurgitation shows that although the presence and type of SAM are important, there are other causes of mitral regurgita‐tion in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy unrelated to SAM. We emphasize the fact the 2‐D echo cannot “diagnose” hypertrophic cardiomyopathy except when cardiac hypertrophy plus SAM involving the body of the mitral valve is seen; in the remaining cases, 2‐D echo confirms/suggests the clinical diagnosis.
Ruptured papillary muscle, a complication of myocardial infarction: Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment
Authors: Clements S. D. , Story W. E. , Hurst J. W. , Craver J. M. , Jones E. L. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractRuptured papillary muscle due to myocardial infarction was encountered in 14 patients during the period 1975–1983. Five of the 14 patients had a history of angina pectoris and two had a history of prior myocardial infarction. Eleven patients with myocardial infarction developed additional pain due to myocardial ischemia and/or a murmur of mitral regurgitation and pulmonary edema within a week, 3 others had a prolonged course with intermittent pain due to myocardial ischemia and breathlessness for longer periods and then deteriorated. Thirteen of our 14 patients developed a murmur and all but one had pulmonary edema on the chest x‐ray. Five patients had infarction patterns on the electrocardiogram, the remainder of the patients had only ST‐ and T‐wave changes. Echocardiograms showed fine flutter and notching of the anterior mitral leaflets and vigorous contractions of the left ventricle. Only one patient was demonstrated to have a papillary muscle tip prolapsing into the left atrium on two‐dimensional echocardiography. Twelve patients underwent surgery and 8 survived. Seven patients had singlevessel coronary disease, 4 involving the circumflex system and 3 involving the right coronary system. Four of the 7 patients with single‐vessel coronary disease survived surgery. Five patients went to surgery with the intra‐aortic balloon pump in place and only 3 survived. Three others had the pump inserted intraoperatively and 2 of these survived. Six of 9 patients who had mitral valve replacement and coronary bypass survived. Ejection fraction ranged from 40 to 79%. Surgical survival did seem to be related to the extent of papillary muscle rupture, with the best results occurring in the group with a small portion of the tip ruptured. Seven patients had a stormy clinical course and required surgery within 10 days of rupture. Four of these 7 survived. It seems reasonable to believe that these patients who often have small infarction and limited coronary disease have good potential for survival. Our approach has been to move toward surgery once the diagnosis is made to avoid the sudden deterioration that frequently occurs. The surgical mortality in this group remains in the 30 to 40% range.
Inadvertent permanent ventricular pacing from the coronary vein: An electrocardiographic, roentgenographic, and echocardiographic assessment
Authors: Shettigar U.R. , Loungani R. R. , Smith C A. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe incidence of inadvertent permanent ventricular pacing from the coronary vein is not known. In a retrospective analysis of 69 patients in whom transvenous pacemakers were implanted between 1979 and 1986, 12 patients were discovered to have right bundle‐branch block pattern to the paced complexes on electrocardiogram. In this group, three patients were considered to have inadvertent placement of pacing lead in the coronary vein by two‐dimensional echocardiographic criteria. No complications were noted in follow‐up of 2–79 months. Monitoring of surface electrocardiogram, frontal and lateral fluoroscopy, and pacing threshold and sensing parameters (during implantation of pacemaker) were found to offer no absolute protection against malplacement of the lead. Placement of the lead into the lung field via the main pulmonary artery and then withdrawing with eventual positioning into the right ventricular apex will avoid malposition into the coronary vein. Two‐dimensional echocardiography is useful for the diagnosis of pacing lead malplacement and should be performed in any patient with right bundle‐branch block pattern in the surface electrocardiogram following pacemaker implantation.
Thrombosis and anticoagulation therapy in coronary ectasia
Authors: Perlman P. E. , Ridgeway N. A. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractA 41‐year‐old man presenting with unstable angina was found to have diffuse coronary ectasia with a partially occluding thrombus in the proximal left anterior descending artery. Anticoagulation with heparin followed by warfarin resulted in relief of angina and resolution of thrombosis at follow‐up angiography 3.5 months later. The patient remains well after three years. Nonatherosclerotic ectatic coronary arteries are prone to thrombosis possibly because of spasm, intimal damage, and blood current eddies. We believe that chronic warfarin therapy may be indicated in many patients with coronary ectasia.
Comparative demographic analysis in contrasting environments of Magnolia dealbata: an endangered species from Mexico
Authors: Sánchez‐Velásquez Lázaro Rafael , Pineda‐López María del Rosario 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe study of population regulation and demography in natural habitats is critical for the conservation of rare and endangered species. We address the impact of cattle exclusion on the demographics of Magnolia dealbata (Magnoliaceae), an endangered species according to IUCN and Federal Mexican laws. Sixteen permanent plots were established, eight of which were enclosed to livestock, in the mountain cloud forest in Coyopolan, Mexico, which has the largest population of M. deadlbata. Censuses of the plots were undertaken annually during three annual cycles to record seed number, recruitment, mortality, and growth (defined as length and diameter at breast height). The effects of two treatments (with and without livestock exclusion) on the dynamics of M. dealbata were investigated using transition matrix models and life table response experiment (LTRE) analysis. Contrary to expectations, there was no significant effect of cattle exclusion on population growth rates (λ). Furthermore, the λ, estimated from the mean transition matrix for both treatments was greater than one. The transitions with the highest elasticity values were similar between the two treatments, while reproductive stage contributed more to differences in population growth rate and were less variable than the non‐reproductive stage. LTRE analysis showed that treatment differences had little effect on λ. Livestock exclusion appears to lead more to differences in the arrangement of the values of the transition matrix than to the rate of population growth for M. dealbata.
Metabolic phenotypes of phenylketonuria. Kinetic and molecular evaluation of the Blaskovics protein loading test
Authors: Langenbeck U. , Burgard P. , Wendel U. , Lindner M. , Zschocke J. ,   German Collaborative Study on Phenylketonuria (PKU) /Hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA)
Published: July 2009

SummaryBackground: As part of the German Collaborative Study of Children Treated for Phenylketonuria (PKU), a three‐day protein loading test was applied to children at 6 months of age. This load elicits three principal types of blood phenylalanine (Phe) response, with types I and III clinically corresponding to classic PKU and mild hyperphenylalaninaemia not requiring diet (MHP), respectively. An intermediate type II, clinically corresponding to mild PKU, is characterized by early decline of blood Phe from above 1200 μmol/L down to levels between 600 and 1200 μmol/L at 72 h. Aims: Unbiased classification and kinetic and molecular characterization of the intermediate Phe response; estimation of phenotypic variability of Phe disposal. Method: A kinetic model with zero‐order protein synthesis and first‐order rate of metabolic disposal of Phe is applied to 157 tests. Results: A model of exponentially saturated activation describes the acceleration of Phe disposal from day 1 to 3 in the intermediate type of response. Eleven of 14 p.Y414C functional hemizygotes and two of three p.R261Q homozygotes manifested this kinetic type. The rate estimates of Phe metabolic disposal differ widely in patients with identical PAH genotype, yet are highly correlated with the Phe level at 72 h.
On the zero set of G-equivariant maps
Authors: BUONO P-L. , HELMER M. , LAMB J. S. W. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractLet G be a finite group acting on vector spaces V and W and consider a smooth G-equivariant mapping f: V → W. This paper addresses the question of the zero set of f near a zero x with isotropy subgroup G. It is known from results of Bierstone and Field on G-transversality theory that the zero set in a neighbourhood of x is a stratified set. The purpose of this paper is to partially determine the structure of the stratified set near x using only information from the representations V and W. We define an index s(Σ) for isotropy subgroups Σ of G which is the difference of the dimension of the fixed point subspace of Σ in V and W. Our main result states that if V contains a subspace G-isomorphic to W, then for every maximal isotropy subgroup Σ satisfying s(Σ) > s(G), the zero set of f near x contains a smooth manifold of zeros with isotropy subgroup Σ of dimension s(Σ). We also present partial results in the case of group representations V and W which do not satisfy the conditions of our main theorem. The paper contains many examples and raises several questions concerning the computation of zero sets of equivariant maps. These results have application to the bifurcation theory of G-reversible equivariant vector fields.
Cytokine and anti-cytokine therapy in asthma: ready for the clinic?
Authors: Desai D , Brightling C 
Published: July 2009

SummaryAsthma is a common disease with an increasing prevalence worldwide. Up to 10% of these patients have asthma that is refractory to current therapy. This group have a disproportionate use of health care resources attributed to asthma, have significant morbidity and mortality and therefore represent an unmet clinical need. Asthma is a complex heterogeneous condition that is characterized by typical symptoms and disordered airway physiology set against a background of airway inflammation and remodelling. The inflammatory process underlying asthma is co-ordinated by a cytokine network. Modulating this network with biological therapy presents a new paradigm for asthma treatment. Clinical trials undertaken to date have underscored the complexity of the inflammatory profile and its relationship to the clinical features of the disease and have raised the importance of safety considerations related to these novel therapies. T helper type 2 cytokine blockade remains the most promising strategy, with anti-interleukin-5 reducing asthma exacerbations. Although anti-cytokine therapy is not yet ready for the clinic, the long-awaited possibility of new treatments for severe asthma is moving ever closer.
T-bet and pSTAT-1 expression in PBMC from coeliac disease patients: new markers of disease activity
Authors: Frisullo G , Nociti V , Iorio R , Patanella A K , Plantone D , Bianco A , Marti A , Cammarota G , Tonali P A , Batocchi A P 
Published: July 2009

Summary
Coeliac disease (CD) is considered a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease, and up-regulation of T-bet and phosphorylated signal transducers and activators of transcription (pSTAT)1, key transcription factors for the development of T helper type 1 (Th1) cells, has been described in the mucosa of patients with untreated CD. Using transcription factor analysis, we investigated whether T-bet and pSTAT1 expressions are up-regulated in the peripheral blood of CD patients and correlate with disease activity. Using flow cytometry, we analysed T-bet, pSTAT1 and pSTAT3 expression in CD4+, CD8+ T cells, CD19+ B cells and monocytes from peripheral blood of 15 untreated and 15 treated CD patients and 30 controls, and longitudinally in five coeliac patients before and after dietary treatment. We evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), interferon (FN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-10 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures. T-bet expression in CD4+, CD8+ T cells, CD19+ B cells and monocytes and IFN-γ production by PBMC was higher in untreated than in treated CD patients and controls. pSTAT1 expression was higher in CD4+T cells, B cells and monocytes from untreated than from treated CD patients and controls. pSTAT3 was increased only in monocytes from untreated patients compared with CD-treated patients and controls. The data obtained from the longitudinal evaluation of transcription factors confirmed these results. Flow cytometric analysis of pSTAT1 and T-bet protein expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells could be useful and sensible markers in the follow-up of CD patients to evaluate disease activity and response to dietary treatment.
The Performance of Group‐affiliated Firms during Institutional Transition: A Longitudinal Study of Indian Firms
Authors: Zattoni Alessandro , Pedersen Torben , Kumar Vikas 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTManuscript Type:EmpiricalResearch Question/Issue:Institutional and transaction cost theories highlight the idea that group‐affiliated firms outperform unaffiliated firms in emerging economies. However, the persistence of superior performance among group‐affiliated firms could be challenged by the recent, quick development of markets and institutions in these countries. This article explores the link between firm performance and the evolution of the institutional environment.Research Findings/Insights:We analyze how business group affiliation affected firm performance in India in the post‐reform era, i.e., from 1990 to 2006. Our findings show that: (1) the performance benefits of group affiliation are evident in the early phase of institutional transition, but level out in the late phase; (2) older group‐affiliated firms are better able to cope with institutional transition than younger group‐affiliated firms; and (3) group‐affiliated service firms are better able to cope with institutional transition than group‐affiliated manufacturing firms.Theoretical/Academic Implications:Our findings support institutional and transaction cost theories, as they show that: (1) when labor, capital, and products markets are characterized by large imperfections and weak supporting institutions business groups outperform independent companies; (2) when markets become more efficient and institutions grow stronger group‐affiliated firms fail to show continued superior performance; and (3) heterogeneity among member firms may influence the appropriation of the benefits arising from group affiliation. These findings expand the traditional understanding of the relationship between firm performance and the institutional context in emerging economies, and provide further support for the idea that the relative performance of group‐affiliated firms is contingent upon the characteristics of the institutional context and their particular features.Practitioner/Policy Implications:The article has implications for managers and policy makers. Managers of business groups should adapt the timing of strategies to the evolution of the institutional environment. Policy makers should focus on the consequences of their policies, as they may undermine the efficiency of large national companies.
On Sustainable Pay‐as‐You‐Go Contribution Rules
Authors: DEMANGE GABRIELLE 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAn unfunded social security system faces the major risk, sometimes referred to as “political risk,” that future generations do not agree to contribute as much as expected. In order to account properly for this risk, the paper considers a political process in which the support to the system is asked from each new born generation. The analysis is conducted in an overlapping generations economy that is subject to macroeconomic shocks. As a consequence, the political support varies with the evolution of the economy. The impact of various factors—intragenerational redistribution, risk aversion, financial markets, governmental debt—on the political sustainability of a pay‐as‐you‐go system is discussed.
Inequality, Growth, and the Dynamics of Social Segmentation
Authors: KEMPF HUBERT , MOIZEAU FABIEN 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIn this paper, we investigate the link between the dynamics of society segmentation into communities and the growth process, based on a simple human capital growth model. Using coalition theory, we study the socioeconomic dynamics of an economy over time, characterize it and prove that the economy converges to a steady state partition that may be segmented. Eventually the whole economy tends to a balanced growth path, exhibiting persistent inequality in the case of segmentation. We then provide sufficient conditions on initial inequality and the technology parameters generating local and global externalities for obtaining a segmented society in the long run. On the whole, the relationship between inequality and growth cannot be assessed without taking into consideration the stratification phenomena at work in society over time.