bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological and dielectric properties of barium chloride‐filled poly(vinylidene fluoride) films
Authors: Ozkazanc Ersel , Guney H. Yuksel , Guner Selahaddin , Abaci Ufuk 
Published: February 2010

AbstractMorphological characteristics of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films, filled with mass fractions (w ≤ 20%) of Barium Chloride (BaCl2), were investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) absorption spectra and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. The dielectric properties of films were measured from 250 Hz to 1 MHz range between 100 and 400 K as a function of frequency and temperature. Spectroscopic data revealed that the filled and unfilled films include α‐, β‐, and γ‐crystalline phases. By a 20% filling, 73% increase was obtained in the total degree of crystallinity. Since the BaCl2 formed fluorine bridges over the chain segments on the crystal lamellar surface, the γ‐crystalline phase decreased, whereas the total degree of crystallinity increased. Dielectric measurements showed that maximum of the dielectric loss factor belonging to β‐relaxation transition decreased linearly with filling level. The filling process did not have any effect on the real dielectric constant till α‐relaxation transition region. However, in the α‐relaxation transition region, it was determined that the real dielectric constant increased linearly with filling level. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1782–1789, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Comprehensive proteome profiling of the Fe(III)‐reducing myxobacterium Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans 2CP‐C during growth with fumarate and ferric citrate
Authors: Chao Tzu‐Chiao , Kalinowski Jörn , Nyalwidhe Julius , Hansmeier Nicole 
Published: February 2010

AbstractAnaeromyxobacter dehalogenans is a microaerophilic member of the delta‐proteobacteria which is able to utilize a wide range of electron acceptors, including halogenated phenols, U(VI), Fe(III), nitrate, nitrite, oxygen and fumarate. To date, the knowledge regarding general metabolic activities of this ecologically relevant bacterium is limited. Here, we present a first systematic 2‐D reference map of the soluble A. dehalogenans proteome in order to provide a sound basis for further proteomic studies as well as to gain first global insights into the metabolic activities of this bacterium. Using a combination of 2‐DE and MALDI‐TOF‐MS, a total of 720 proteins spots were identified, representing 559 unique protein species. Using the proteome data, altogether 50 metabolic pathways were found to be expressed during growth with fumarate as primary electron acceptor. An analysis of the pathways revealed an extensive display of enzymes involved in the catabolism and anabolism of a variety of amino acids, including the unexpected fermentation of lysine to butyrate. Moreover, using the reference gel as basis, a semi‐quantitative analysis of protein expression changes of A. dehalogenans during growth with ferric citrate as electron acceptor was conducted. The adaptation to Fe(III) reducing conditions involved the expression changes of a total of 239 proteins. The results suggest that the adaptation to Fe(III) reductive conditions involves an increase in metabolic flux through the tricarboxylic acid cycle, which is fueled by an increased catabolism of amino acids.
New Horizons: why a more collaborative approach is needed
Authors: Walton Ian 
Published: February 2010

AbstractMost of us welcome the new direction of travel for mental health advocated by the recently published cross‐government action programme New Horizons,1 the 2008 Lord Darzi report High Quality Care for All2 plus the 2007 personalisation agenda Putting People First.3. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Interface Ltd
Treatment of vector equations in deep‐atmosphere, semi‐Lagrangian models. I: Momentum equation
Authors: Staniforth A. , White A. A. , Wood N. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractApplication of the semi‐Lagrangian method to the vector momentum equation in orthogonal curvilinear systems is considered, with emphasis on spherical and spheroidal coordinates for deep‐atmosphere models (in which the shallow‐atmosphere approximation is not made). In spherical coordinates, a certain rotation matrix allows vector components at semi‐Lagrangian departure points to be expressed in the required component forms at the corresponding arrival points. This rotation matrix also allows the unit vector triad at the arrival point to be expressed in terms of the unit vector triad at the departure point. The resulting formalisation of the momentum equation applies to timesteps of arbitrary length, and in the limit of infinitesimal timestep it delivers the familiar Eulerian components. Extension of the rotation matrix technique to more general orthogonal curvilinear systems is remarkably straightforward, thus demonstrating the versatility of the semi‐Lagrangian method. Explicit forms are given for systems having longitude as one coordinate and general orthogonal coordinates in the meridional plane, and in particular these forms are applicable to both confocal oblate spheroidal and similar oblate spheroidal systems. A specific factorisation of the rotation matrix in the spherical polar case involves three matrices, one of which represents rotation of the unit vector triad along a great circle arc; the non‐Euclidean, shallow‐atmosphere approximation of the total rotation matrix results when the great circle rotation matrix is replaced by the identity matrix (but the other two matrices involved in the factorisation are kept intact). This shallow‐atmosphere rotation matrix agrees with that used by ECMWF and Météo‐France. © Crown Copyright 2010. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pedro: a publish/subscribe server using Prolog technology
Authors: Robinson Peter J. , Clark Keith L. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractPedro is a TCP/IP publish/subscribe server implemented in C that uses Prolog technology for testing subscriptions against notifications. It provides both content‐ and address‐based routing of messages between processes. An inter‐process message M is a string representation of a Pedro term (usually but not necessarily a variable free term). A subscription is essentially a message template T paired with a Pedro query that is used to restrict the allowed values for variables in T. Pedro automatically forwards any notification it receives to all processes that have a current subscription that covers the notification. A Pedro connected process can optionally register a name with Pedro giving the process a unique Pedro handle. Pedro handles can be used to send peer‐to‐peer messages between processes. In this paper we illustrate the use of Pedro and describe its implementation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemical inhibition of CaaX protease activity disrupts yeast Ras localization
Authors: Manandhar Surya P. , Hildebrandt Emily R. , Jacobsen William H. , Santangelo George M. , Schmidt Walter K. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractProteins possessing a C‐terminal CaaX motif, such as the Ras GTPases, undergo extensive post‐translational modification that includes attachment of an isoprenoid lipid, proteolytic processing and carboxylmethylation. Inhibition of the enzymes involved in these processes is considered a cancer‐therapeutic strategy. We previously identified nine in vitro inhibitors of the yeast CaaX protease Rce1p in a chemical library screen (Manandhar et al., 2007). Here, we demonstrate that these agents disrupt the normal plasma membrane distribution of yeast GFP–Ras reporters in a manner that pharmacologically phenocopies effects observed upon genetic loss of CaaX protease function. Consistent with Rce1p being the in vivo target of the inhibitors, we observe that compound‐induced delocalization is suppressed by increasing the gene dosage of RCE1. Moreover, we observe that Rce1p biochemical activity associated with inhibitor‐treated cells is inversely correlated with compound dose. Genetic loss of CaaX proteolysis results in mistargeting of GFP–Ras2p to subcellular foci that are positive for the endoplasmic reticulum marker Sec63p. Pharmacological inhibition of CaaX protease activity also delocalizes GFP–Ras2p to foci, but these foci are not as strongly positive for Sec63p. Lastly, we demonstrate that heterologously expressed human Rce1p can mediate proper targeting of yeast Ras and that its activity can also be perturbed by some of the above inhibitors. Together, these results indicate that disrupting the proteolytic modification of Ras GTPases impacts their in vivo trafficking. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Serum MIP‐1 α level: a biomarker for the follow‐up of lentiviral therapy in mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB mice
Authors: Di Natale Paola , Di Domenico Carmela , Di Napoli Daniele 
Published: February 2010

AbstractMucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) IIIB is an inherited lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficiency of alpha‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase (NAGLU). The disease is characterized by mild somatic features and severe neurological involvement, with high mortality rates. Although some therapeutic approaches have been applied to the murine model of the disease, no effective therapy is available. Moreover, assessing therapeutic efficacy is challenged by the lack of markers to for progression and severity. In this study, we examined the effect of brain‐directed lentiviral (LV) gene therapy on serum levels of macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (MIP‐1α) and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) proteins in the murine model of MPS IIIB to identify novel serum biomarkers. The cytokine MIP‐1α was elevated in MPS IIIB mouse serum, and following gene therapy, it was reduced to normal levels. For neurotrophin BDNF, the difference in serum levels between MPS IIIB and normal mice was not statistically significant; after LV gene therapy, an increase in protein was found in treated mice, although the values were not statistically significant. Our studies suggest MIP‐1α as the first serum biomarker that could be used to monitor disease progression and treatment for MPS IIIB disease.
Bounded and unbounded Fredholm modules for quantum projective spaces
Authors: D'Andrea Francesco , Landi Giovanni 
Published: February 2010

AbstractWe construct explicit generators of the K-theory and K-homology of the coordinate algebras of ‘functions’ on the quantum projective spaces. We also sketch a construction of unbounded Fredholm modules, that is to say Diraclike operators and spectral triples of any positive real dimension.
Pythium Root Dysfunction of Creeping Bentgrass
Authors: Kerns James P. , Tredway Lane P. 
Published: February 2010

Pythium root dysfunction (PRD), a disease of relatively young stands of creeping bentgrass turf, is commonly misdiagnosed as take-all patch. Symptoms of PRD typically appear during the summer months when creeping bentgrass is subjected to heat and drought stress, but patches may develop in the spring, fall, and winter during periods of warm and dry weather. This guide provides detailed information on PRD taxonomy, symptoms, range and distribution, isolation and storage, and more. Accepted for publication 29 October 2009. Published 25 January 2010.
Adaptation of a Phytophthora ramorum Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay Based on a Mitochondrial Gene Region for Use on the Cepheid SmartCycler
Authors: Sechler K. E. , Carras M. M. , Shishkoff N. , Tooley P. W. 
Published: February 2010

Detection of Phytophthora ramorum in US commercial nurseries has led to a number of quarantine regulations. Methods such as real-time PCR (RT-PCR) provide rapid and reliable detection that can supplement attempts to culture P. ramorum from symptomatic tissue. We adapted and optimized a previously described mitochondrial gene-based RT-PCR assay for use with a Cepheid SmartCycler v.1 and ready-to-use lyophilized PCR beads. The detection limit was 10 fg of P. ramorum genomic DNA. No cross-reactivity was observed on the SmartCycler for seven additional Phytophthora species tested, which included species known to cross-react in other assays as well as recently described species Phytophthora foliorum and P. kernoviae. The SmartCycler assay described here was used to detect P. ramorum in a set of 2008 California field samples with a high degree of accuracy. Accepted for publication 13 October 2009. Published 13 February 2010.
Metabolome and Photochemical Analysis of Rice Plants Overexpressing Arabidopsis NAD Kinase Gene
Authors: Takahara Kentaro , Kasajima Ichiro , Takahashi Hideyuki , Hashida Shin-nosuke , Itami Taketo , Onodera Haruko , Toki Seiichi , Yanagisawa Shuichi , Kawai-Yamada Maki , Uchimiya Hirofumi 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
The chloroplastic NAD kinase (NADK2) is reported to stimulate carbon and nitrogen assimilation in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), which is vulnerable to high light. Since rice (Oryza sativa) is a monocotyledonous plant that can adapt to high light, we studied the effects of NADK2 expression in rice by developing transgenic rice plants that constitutively expressed the Arabidopsis chloroplastic NADK gene (NK2 lines). NK2 lines showed enhanced activity of NADK and accumulation of the NADP(H) pool, while intermediates of NAD derivatives were unchanged. Comprehensive analysis of the primary metabolites in leaves using capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry revealed elevated levels of amino acids and several sugar phosphates including ribose-1,5-bisphosphate, but no significant change in the levels of the other metabolites. Studies of chlorophyll fluorescence and gas change analyses demonstrated greater electron transport and CO2 assimilation rates in NK2 lines, compared to those in the control. Analysis of oxidative stress response indicated enhanced tolerance to oxidative stress in these transformants. The results suggest that NADP content plays a critical role in determining the photosynthetic electron transport rate in rice and that its enhancement leads to stimulation of photosynthesis metabolism and tolerance of oxidative damages.
Clinical trial: renzapride treatment of women with irritable bowel syndrome and constipation – a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, study
Authors: LEMBO A. J. , CREMONINI F. , MEYERS N. , HICKLING R. 
Published: February 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 979–990SummaryBackground  Renzapride, a 5‐hydroxytryptamine type‐4 (5‐HT4) receptor agonist and 5‐HT3 receptor antagonist, has been proposed as a new treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS‐C).Aim  To assess the efficacy and safety of renzapride in women with IBS‐C.Methods  Women with IBS‐C were randomized to renzapride 4 mg daily, 2 mg b.d. or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure was global relief of IBS symptoms. A subset of patients were enrolled in a 12‐month, open‐label study of renzapride 4 mg daily.Results  A total of 1798 patients were included in the efficacy analysis and 971 patients entered the long‐term study. The mean (S.E.M.) number of months with relief of overall IBS symptoms was 0.55 (0.04), 0.60 (0.04) and 0.44 (0.04) in the renzapride 4 mg daily, 2 mg b.d. and placebo groups (P = 0.027 and P = 0.004 respectively). Small yet statistically significant differences in favour of renzapride were observed on stool consistency and frequency, and bloating/abdominal distension scores. Renzapride was generally well tolerated; however, three episodes of ischaemic colitis were reported in the long‐term study.Conclusion  Given the limited increase in efficacy over placebo and the incidence of ischaemic colitis observed, our data suggest that the benefit/risk ratio of renzapride is not sufficient to warrant further study in IBS‐C.
Development of a synthetic plant volatile‐based attracticide for female noctuid moths. III. Insecticides for adult Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Del Socorro Alice P , Gregg Peter C , Hawes Anthony J 
Published: February 2010

AbstractWe investigated the efficacy of insecticides combined with a plant volatile‐based attractant for Helicoverpa armigera moths, under laboratory and field conditions. In the laboratory, 16 insecticides were assessed by the level of mortality and time to incapacitate and kill moths. The proboscis extension reflex technique was used for dosing moths. The pyrethroids, bifenthrin (only when synergised by the addition of piperonyl butoxide (PBO) but not without it) and cyfluthrin (with or without PBO), endosulfan, the carbamates methomyl and thiodicarb, and spinosad killed all moths tested at rates equivalent to, or less than, those which would be applied in cover sprays targeting larvae. The shortest time to moth incapacitation and death was observed with methomyl and thiodicarb. Spinosad produced very high mortality but moths took much longer to die. The two pyrethroids gave relatively slow kills, as did endosulfan. In a field trial, four insecticides were combined with the attractant and dead moths were collected daily from 1 to 4 days after application of the attracticide on 50 m rows of cotton. Significantly more dead moths (H. armigera, H. punctigera and other noctuids) were found near the rows treated with attracticide containing methomyl compared with spinosad, fipronil and deltamethrin. For determining the impact of attracticides by recovering dead moths, quick acting insecticides are required to prevent moths flying away from the treated area to locations where they cannot be found. Methomyl and thiodicarb are suitable for this, but other insecticides especially spinosad could be used where quick action is not needed. Large numbers of moths were killed in the field trial, suggesting that attracticides for female Helicoverpa spp. moths could have significant impacts on local populations of these pests.
Two new species of Acizzia Crawford (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) from the Solanaceae with a potential new economic pest of eggplant, Solanum melongena
Authors: Kent Deborah , Taylor Gary 
Published: February 2010

AbstractTwo new species of Acizzia Heslop‐Harrison (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) from the plant family Solanaceae in eastern Australia are described. Acizzia solanicola sp. n. can damage eggplant, Solanum melongena (Solanaceae), in commercial crops and gardens in eastern Australia. It is a new, potentially serious commercial pest species, of which the nymphs induce malformation of leaves, produce copious amounts of viscous waste and cause leaf wilting, premature leaf senescence and crop loss. These psyllids have a unique and characteristic method of disposing of honeydew and this is illustrated for the first time. Acizzia alternata sp. n. is recorded from the weed, wild tobacco bush, Solanum mauritianum, but appears to cause little damage. These comprise the first record of a pest psyllid on eggplant and the first record of Acizzia from the Solanaceae. The parasitoid, Psyllaephagus sp. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), is recorded parasitising nymphs of A. solanicola sp. n., and is here proposed as a potential biological control agent against it.
The International Urban Energy Balance Models Comparison Project: First Results from Phase 1
Authors: Grimmond C. S. B. , Blackett M. , Best M. J. , Barlow J. , Baik J-J. , Belcher S. E. , Bohnenstengel S. I. , Calmet I. , Chen F. , Dandou A. , Fortuniak K. , Gouvea M. L. , Hamdi R. , Hendry M. , Kawai T. , Kawamoto Y. , Kondo H. , Krayenhoff E. S. , Lee S-H. , Loridan T. , Martilli A. , Masson V. , Miao S. , Oleson K. , Pigeon G. , Porson A. , Ryu Y-H. , Salamanca F. , Shashua-Bar L. , Steeneveld G-J. , Tombrou M. , Voogt J. , Young D. , Zhang N. 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
A large number of urban surface energy balance models now exist with different assumptions about the important features of the surface and exchange processes that need to be incorporated. To date, no comparison of these models has been conducted; in contrast, models for natural surfaces have been compared extensively as part of the Project for Intercomparison of Land-surface Parameterization Schemes. Here, the methods and first results from an extensive international comparison of 33 models are presented. The aim of the comparison overall is to understand the complexity required to model energy and water exchanges in urban areas. The degree of complexity included in the models is outlined and impacts on model performance are discussed. During the comparison there have been significant developments in the models with resulting improvements in performance (root-mean-square error falling by up to two-thirds). Evaluation is based on a dataset containing net all-wave radiation, sensible heat, and latent heat flux observations for an industrial area in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The aim of the comparison is twofold: to identify those modeling approaches that minimize the errors in the simulated fluxes of the urban energy balance and to determine the degree of model complexity required for accurate simulations. There is evidence that some classes of models perform better for individual fluxes but no model performs best or worst for all fluxes. In general, the simpler models perform as well as the more complex models based on all statistical measures. Generally the schemes have best overall capability to model net all-wave radiation and least capability to model latent heat flux.
Improving the Service Delivery
Authors: Khalid Siti-Nabiha Abdul 
Published: February 2010

Local councils in Malaysia continue to face criticism and are viewed as inefficient and lacking accountability. They also face pressure to improve their service delivery. As a result, the Malaysian federal government requires public agencies, including local authorities in Malaysia, to use key performance indicators (KPIs) to improve their service delivery. This article examines the implementation of the system of key performance indicators in a local council in Malaysia. Details of the system of KPIs imposed by the government for the local council are discussed. The article also discusses how, and what indicators are formulated, and the process undertaken by the local council in improving their service delivery system.
Genetic polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in potentially malignant and malignant lesions of the head and neck
Authors: Chaudhary Ajay Kumar , Singh Mamta , Bharti Alok C , Asotra Kamlesh , Sundaram Shanthy , Mehrotra Ravi 
Published: February 2010

AbstractMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent proteinases that are capable of cleaving all extra cellular matrix (ECM) substrates. Degradation of matrix is a key event in progression, invasion and metastasis of potentially malignant and malignant lesions of the head and neck. It might have an important polymorphic association at the promoter regions of several MMPs such as MMP-1 (-1607 1G/2G), MMP-2 (-1306 C/T), MMP-3 (-1171 5A/6A), MMP-9 (-1562 C/T) and TIMP-2 (-418 G/C or C/C). Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are naturally occurring inhibitors of MMPs, which inhibit the activity of MMPs and control the breakdown of ECM. Currently, many MMP inhibitors (MMPIs) are under development for treating different malignancies. Useful markers associated with molecular aggressiveness might have a role in prognostication of malignancies and to better recognize patient groups that need more antagonistic treatment options. Furthermore, the introduction of novel prognostic markers may also promote exclusively new treatment possibilities, and there is an obvious need to identify markers that could be used as selection criteria for novel therapies. The objective of this review is to discuss the molecular functions and polymorphic association of MMPs and TIMPs and the possible therapeutic aspects of these proteinases in potentially malignant and malignant head and neck lesions. So far, no promising drug target therapy has been developed for MMPs in the lesions of this region. In conclusion, further research is required for the development of their potential diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities.