bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Persistence of cell‐mediated immunity three decades after vaccination with the live vaccine strain of Francisella tularensis
Authors: Eneslätt Kjell , Rietz Cecilia , Rydén Patrik , Stöven Svenja , House Robert V. , Wolfraim Lawrence A. , Tärnvik Arne , Sjöstedt Anders 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe efficacy of many vaccines against intracellular bacteria depends on the generation of cell‐mediated immunity, but studies to determine the duration of immunity are usually confounded by re‐exposure. The causative agent of tularemia, Francisella tularensis, is rare in most areas and, therefore, tularemia vaccination is an interesting model for studies of the longevity of vaccine‐induced cell‐mediated immunity. Here, lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production in response to F. tularensis were assayed in two groups of 16 individuals, vaccinated 1–3 or 27–34 years previously. As compared to naïve individuals, vaccinees of both groups showed higher proliferative responses and, out of 17 cytokines assayed, higher levels of MIP‐1β, IFN‐γ, IL‐10, and IL‐5 in response to recall stimulation. The responses were very similar in the two groups of vaccinees. A statistical model was developed to predict the immune status of the individuals and by use of two parameters, proliferative responses and levels of IFN‐γ, 91.1% of the individuals were correctly classified. Using flow cytometry analysis, we demonstrated that during recall stimulation, expression of IFN‐γ by CD4+CCR7+, CD4+CD62L+, CD8+CCR7+, and CD8+CD62L+ cells significantly increased in samples from vaccinated donors. In conclusion, cell‐mediated immunity was found to persist three decades after tularemia vaccination without evidence of decline.
Influence of a Redox‐Active Phosphane Ligand on the Oxidations of a Diiron Core Related to the Active Site of Fe‐Only Hydrogenase
Authors: Liu Yu‐Chiao , Lee Chia‐Hsin , Lee Gene‐Hsiang , Chiang Ming‐Hsi 
Published: January 2011

AbstractModulation of the Fe redox levels within the diiron dithiolato carbonyls with the coordination of a redox‐active phosphane is reported. Treatment of [Fe2{μ‐S(CH2)2NR(CH2)2S}(CO)6]2 and [Fe2(μ‐pdt)(CO)6] with mppf affords the phosphane substituted species, [Fe2{μ‐S(CH2)2NR(CH2)2S}(CO)5(mppf)]2 (1 and 2) and [Fe2(μ‐pdt)(CO)5(mppf)] (3), respectively. These mppf‐substituted complexes have been structurally and spectroscopically characterized. Results of the electrochemical study on 1 and 2 indicate that oxidation of the mppf‐substituted complexes occurs at a potential 100 mV less than the related species ligated by the redox‐inactive phosphane with approximately the same σ‐donating ability. Stability of the oxidized species is improved on the electrochemical time scale. For the complex 3, three reversible oxidation events are observed. The mppf unit is oxidized at 0.16 V, which exerts an influence on the oxidation potential of the diiron core. In contrast to the PPh3 analogue, oxidation of both Fe centers is accessible at 0.47 and 0.77 V for 3. A large ΔE1/2 value suggests a substantial electron delocalization within the Fe2 core.
Numerical simulation of bubble dynamics in a micro‐channel under a nonuniform electric field
Authors: Jing Luo , Dan Guo , Jianbin Luo , Guoxin Xie 
Published: January 2011

AbstractA numerical method is used to simulate the motion and coalescence of air bubbles in a micro‐channel under a nonuniform electric field. The channel is equipped with arrays of electrodes embedded in its wall and voltages are applied on the electrodes to generate a specified electric field gradient in the longitudinal direction. In the study, the Navier–Stokes equations are solved by using the level set method handling the deformable/moving interfaces between the bubbles and the ambient liquid. Both the polarization Coulomb force and the dielectrophoresis force are considered as the force source of the Navier–Stokes equations by solving the Maxwell's equations. The flow field equations and the electric field equations are coupled and solved by using the finite element method. The electric field characteristics and the dynamic behavior of a bubble are analyzed by studying the distributions of the electric field and the force, the deformation and the moving velocity of the air bubble. The result suggests that the model of dispersed drops suspended in the immiscible dielectric liquid and driven by a nonuniform electric field is an effective method for the transportation and coalescence of micro‐drops.
Buffers to suppress sodium dodecyl sulfate adsorption to polyethylene oxide for protein separation on capillary polymer electrophoresis
Authors: Sumitomo Keiko , Mayumi Koichi , Minamikawa Hiroyuki , Masuda Mitsutoshi , Asahi Toru , Shimizu Toshimi , Ito Kohzo , Yamaguchi Yoshinori 
Published: January 2011

AbstractAlthough polyethylene oxide (PEO) offers several advantages as a sieving polymer in SDS capillary polymer electrophoresis (SDS‐CPE), solution properties of PEO cause deterioration in the electrophoresis because PEO in solution aggregates itself, degrades into smaller pieces, and forms polymer–micelle complexes with SDS. We examined protein separation on SDS‐CPE with PEO as a sieving matrix in four individual buffer solutions: Tris‐CHES, Tris‐Gly, Tris‐Tricine, and Tris‐HCl buffers. The solution properties of PEO as a sieving matrix in those buffers were examined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and by surface tension. Preferential SDS adsorption onto PEO disturbed protein–SDS complexation and impaired the protein separation efficiency. Substantial adsorption of SDS to PEO was particularly observed in Tris‐Gly buffer. The Tris‐CHES buffer prevented SDS from adsorbing onto the PEO. Only Tris‐CHES buffer achieved separation of six proteins. This study demonstrated efficient protein separation on SDS‐CPE with PEO.
A modified global model for predicting the tritium distribution in precipitation, 1960–2005
Authors: Zhang Yanhong , Ye Shujun , Wu Jichun 
Published: January 2011

AbstractA modified global model for predicting the tritium concentration in precipitation has been developed using the dataset of International Atomic Energy Agency/the World Meteorological Organization (IAEA/WMO) over the period from 1960 to 2005. The tritium concentration in precipitation and its history can be estimated at any location using the model. The modified global model of tritium in precipitation (MGMTP) here presented has higher accuracy than the global model of tritium in precipitation (GMTP) developed by Doney et al. (1992). The new model is not only more appropriate for a particular station but also applicable for the un‐normalized observations directly. Another advantage of MGMTP is that it can estimate a longer history (from 1960 to 2005) of tritium content in precipitation than GMTP (from 1960 to 1986). The seasonal cycle of tritium in precipitation has also been modelled in the form of a simple cosine function with five parameters. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Uncertainty in modelling of faecal coliform overland transport associated with manure application in Maryland
Authors: Guber A. K. , Pachepsky Y. A. , Yakirevich A. M. , Shelton D. R. , Sadeghi A. M. , Goodrich D. C. , Unkrich C. L. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractConcerns for microbial safety of surface water facilitate development of predictive models that estimate concentrations and total numbers of pathogen and indicator organisms leaving manure‐fertilized fields in overland flow during runoff events. Spatial variability of bacterial concentrations in applied manure introduces high uncertainty in the model predictions. The objective of this work was to evaluate the uncertainty in model predictions of the manure‐borne bacteria overland transport caused by limited information on the spatial distribution of bacteria in surface‐applied manure. Experiments were carried out at the ARS Beltsville experimental watershed site (OPE3) in Maryland. Dairy bovine manure was applied at a 59·3 t/ha rate on the 3·55 hectare experimental field. Faecal coliform (FC) concentrations in manure measured in 2004, 2005, 2007, and 2009 varied by 4 orders of magnitude each year. Both runoff volume and FC concentrations in runoff water were monitored using a runoff flume equipped with a refrigerated pump sampler. Two runoff events occurred before the manure was incorporated into the soil. A bacteria transport add‐on module simulator of transport with infiltration and runoff (STWIR) was linked with the event‐based kinematic runoff and erosion model (KINEROS2) to simulate convective‐dispersive overland transport, bacteria release from manure, reversible attachment–detachment to soil, and surface straining of infiltrating bacteria. The model was successfully calibrated with the field experiment data. Monte Carlo simulations were carried out to account for the spatial variation in FC in applied manure and uncertainty in the FC distribution in manure caused by the small number of samples. A tenfold and twofold variation in FC concentrations in the runoff were obtained within the 90% probability interval when initial FC spatial distributions in the manure were represented by 5 and 29 samples, respectively. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What explains comovement in stock market returns during the 2007–2008 crisis?
Authors: Didier Tatiana , Love Inessa , Martínez Pería María Soledad 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the determinants of comovement in stock market returns during the 2007–2008 crisis. Given that the United States (US) was the crisis epicenter, we analyse the factors driving the comovement between US stock market returns and stock market returns in 83 countries. The analysis distinguishes between the period before and after the collapse of Lehman Brothers. The findings indicate that comovement was driven largely by financial linkages. There is also evidence of ‘demonstration effects’ in the first stage of the crisis, as countries with vulnerable banking and corporate sectors exhibited higher comovement with the US market. Finally, despite a collapse in trade across countries, trade did not seem to play a role in explaining comovement in stock market returns. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Credit scoring for microfinance: is it worth it?
Authors: Van Gool Joris , Verbeke Wouter , Sercu Piet , Baesens Bart 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACTDue to growing competition, over‐indebtedness, and economic crises, microfinance institutions have to pursue their social and financial objectives in an increasingly constrained environment. Developing powerful risk management tools becomes more than ever crucial to survive. Therefore this paper analyzes whether microfinance institutions can benefit from credit scoring, which has been successfully adopted in retail banking. An extensive literature overview is provided, indicating a lack of quantitative evidence, in particular for markets in Eastern Europe‐Central Asia and the Middle East‐Northern Africa. Two logistic regression‐based scoring models are developed using data from a Bosnia–Herzegovinian microlender. The models are assessed in terms of stability, readability, and discriminatory power, indicating that credit scoring is not yet able to fully replace the human‐intensive microfinance credit process. However, it is recommendable to introduce credit scoring as a refinement tool in the lending process, in order to combine both statistical and human best practices. Moreover, a microlender staff can learn from credit scoring models to validate or contrast practical intuition. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhanced bioanalyte detection in waveguide confined Raman spectroscopy using wavelength modulation
Authors: Ashok Praveen C. , De Luca Anna Chiara , Mazilu Michael , Dholakia Kishan 
Published: January 2011

AbstractWaveguide confined Raman spectroscopy (WCRS) incorporates a fibre based Raman detection system in a microfluidic platform enabling the spectroscopic detection of analyte. It offers the possibility to develop portable, alignment free devices for bio‐analyte sensing with minimal sample preparation. Ultimate sensitivity is limited by the fibre auto‐fluorescence background. Here we report enhanced bio‐analyte detection sensitivity by combining WCRS with continuous wavelength modulation technique. We used urea as a model analyte and the modulation parameters have been optimized to maximize the sensitivity of the device. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
IBIsCO: A molecular dynamics simulation package for coarse‐grained simulation
Authors: Karimi‐Varzaneh Hossein Ali , Qian Hu‐Jun , Chen Xiaoyu , Carbone Paola , Müller‐Plathe Florian 
Published: January 2011

AbstractIBIsCO is a parallel molecular dynamics simulation package developed specially for coarse‐grained simulations with numerical potentials derived by the iterative Boltzmann inversion (IBI) method (Reith et al., J Comput Chem 2003, 24, 1624). In addition to common features of molecular dynamics programs, the techniques of dissipative particle dynamics (Groot and Warren, J Chem Phys 1997, 107, 4423) and Lowe–Andersen dynamics (Lowe, Europhys Lett 1999, 47, 145) are implemented, which can be used both as thermostats and as sources of friction to compensate the loss of degrees of freedom by coarse‐graining. The reverse nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulation method (Müller‐Plathe, Phys Rev E 1999, 59, 4894) for the calculation of viscosities is also implemented. Details of the algorithms, functionalities, implementation, user interfaces, and file formats are described. The code is parallelized using PE_MPI on PowerPC architecture. The execution time scales satisfactorily with the number of processors. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
First trimester diagnosis of sacrococcygeal teratoma using two‐ and three‐dimensional ultrasound
Authors: Batukan Cem , Ozgun Mahmut Tuncay , Basbug Mustafa 
Published: January 2011

AbstractSacrococcygeal teratomas are very rarely diagnosed in the first trimester. Here we report a case of a presacral mass suggestive of a sacrococcygeal teratoma that was detected during the first trimester nuchal translucency thickness measurement at 12+1 week of gestation. Although the diagnosis was possible with conventional two‐dimensional sonography, three‐dimensional sonography facilitated prenatal counseling by providing more recognizable images to the parents. Postmortem examination of the fetus confirmed the presence of a type 2 benign immature teratoma. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011
The evolving field of imaging mass spectrometry and its impact on future biological research
Authors: Watrous Jeramie D. , Alexandrov Theodore , Dorrestein Pieter C. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractWithin the past decade, imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) has been increasingly recognized as an indispensable technique for studying biological systems. Its rapid evolution has resulted in an impressive array of instrument variations and sample applications, yet the tools and data are largely confined to specialists. It is therefore important that at this junction the IMS community begin to establish IMS as a permanent fixture in life science research thereby making the technology and/or the data approachable by non‐mass spectrometrists, leading to further integration into biological and clinical research. In this perspective article, we provide insight into the evolution and current state of IMS and propose some of the directions that IMS could develop in order to stay on course to become one of the most promising new tools in life science research. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of methane addition on selenium isotope sensitivity and their spectral interferences
Authors: Floor Geerke H. , Millot Romain , Iglesias Mónica , Négrel Philippe 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe measurements of stable selenium (Se) isotopic signatures by multi‐collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC‐ICP‐MS) are very challenging, due to the presence of spectral interferences and the low abundance of Se in environmental samples. We systematically investigated the effect of methane addition on the signal of Se isotopes and their interferences. It is the first time that the effect of methane addition has been assessed for all Se isotopes and its potential interferences using hydride generator multi‐collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HG‐MC‐ICP‐MS). Our results show that a small methane addition increases the sensitivity. However, the response differs between a hydride generator and a standard introduction system, which might be related to differences in the ionization processes. Both argon and hydrogen‐based interferences, the most common spectral interferences on selenium isotopes in HG‐MC‐ICP‐MS, decrease with increasing methane addition. Therefore, analyte‐interference ratios and precision are improved. Methane addition has thus a high potential for the application to stable Se isotopes ratios by HG‐MC‐ICP‐MS. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development and validation of a liquid chromatography and ion spray tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of artesunate, artemether and their major metabolites dihydroartemisinin and dihydroartemisinin‐glucuronide in sheep plasma
Authors: Duthaler Urs , Keiser Jennifer , Huwyler Jörg 
Published: January 2011

AbstractRecently, promising fasciocidal activities of artesunate and artemether were described in rats and sheep. Therefore, a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed to quantify artesunate, artemether and their metabolites dihydroartemisinin and dihydroartemisinin‐glucuronide in sheep plasma. Protein precipitation with methanol was used for sample workup. Reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed using an Atlantis C18 analytical column with a mobile phase gradient system of ammonium formate and acetonitrile. The analytes were detected by MS/MS using selected reaction monitoring (SRM) with electrospray ionisation in the positive mode (transition m/z 267.4 → 163.0). The analytical range for dihydroartemisinin, dihydroartemisinin‐glucuronide and artesunate was 10–1000 ng/ml and for artemether 90–3000 ng/ml with a lower limit of quantification of 10 and 90 ng/ml, respectively. Inter‐ and intra‐day accuracy and precision deviations were < 10%. Consistent relative recoveries (60–80%) were observed over the investigated calibration range for all analytes. All analytes were stable in the autosampler for at least 30 h (6 °C) and after three freeze and thaw cycles. The validation results demonstrated that the LC–MS/MS method is precise, accurate and selective and can be used for the determination of the artemisinins in sheep plasma. The method was applied successfully to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of artesunate and its metabolites in plasma of intramuscularly treated sheep. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide in human gynecological and other biological fluids by using MALDI TOF mass spectrometry
Authors: Brubel R. , Reglodi D. , Jambor E. , Koppan M. , Varnagy A. , Biro Zs. , Kiss P. , Gaal V. , Matkovits A. , Farkas J. , Lubics A. , Bodis J. , Bay Cs. , Veszpremi B. , Tamas A. , Nemeth J. , Mark Laszlo 
Published: January 2011

AbstractPituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a multifunctional and pleiotropic neuropeptide. PACAP has diverse effects in the endocrine system, among others, it plays important roles in oogenesis, implantation and development of the nervous system. However, it is not known whether PACAP is present in the fluids of the human reproductive organs. The aim of the present study was to determine, by means of mass spectrometry and radioimmunoassay, whether PACAP is present in human amniotic fluid, ovarian follicular fluid and cervico‐vaginal fluid. Samples were obtained from healthy adult volunteers. Our MALDI TOF and MALDI TOF/TOF spectrometry results show that PACAP38 is present in all of the follicular fluid samples, and PACAP‐like immonoreactivity was also measured by radioimmunoassay. However, we did not find the characteristic peak representing the unmodified 38 amino acid form of the peptide in normal cervico‐vaginal smear and amniotic fluid samples. Furthermore, we analyzed other body fluids for comparison, such as human nasal fluid, saliva and aqueous humor. PACAP was not found in these latter samples. In summary, the present study provides evidence for the presence of PACAP in human follicular fluid, suggesting a role in oocyte function, but determination of the exact physiological significance awaits further investigation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sieve‐based device for MALDI sample preparation. III. Its power for quantitative measurements
Authors: Molin Laura , Cristoni Simone , Seraglia Roberta , Traldi Pietro 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe solid sample inhomogeneity is a weak point of traditional MALDI deposition techniques that reflects negatively on quantitative analysis. The recently developed sieve‐based device (SBD) sample deposition method, based on the electrospraying of matrix/analyte solutions through a grounded sieve, allows the homogeneous deposition of microcrystals with dimensions smaller than that of the laser spot. In each microcrystal the matrix/analyte molar ratio can be considered constant. Then, by irradiating different portions of the microcrystal distribution an identical response is obtained. This result suggests the employment of SBD in the development of quantitative procedures. For this aim, mixtures of different proteins of known molarity were analyzed, showing a good relationship between molarity and intensity ratios. This behaviour was also observed in the case of proteins with quite different ionic yields. The power of the developed method for quantitative evaluation was also tested by the measurement of the abundance of IGPP[Oxi]GPP[Oxi]GLMGPP (m/z1219) present in the collagen‐α‐5(IV) chain precursor, differently expressed in urines from healthy subjects and diabetic‐nephropathic patients, confirming its overexpression in the presence of nephropathy. The data obtained indicate that SBD is a particularly effective method for quantitative analysis also in biological fluids of interest. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.