bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EU Environmental Sustainability Requirements and Brazilian Biofuel Exports   Exigences de durabilité environnementale de l’Union européenne et exportations brésiliennes de biocarburants   Die EU‐Anforderungen für ökologische Nachhaltigkeit und Biokraftstoffexporte aus Brasilien
Authors: Zahniser Steven 
Published: July 2009

SummaryEU Environmental Sustainability Requirements and Brazilian Biofuel ExportsThis article explores the EU’s goal to obtain 10 per cent of its transport energy from biofuels by 2020 and considers how the environmental sustainability criteria in the EU’s new renewable energy directive might apply to Brazil. In order to count towards the goal, biofuels must achieve greenhouse gas savings as high as 60 per cent after 2017. Regarding Brazil’s leading biofuels, the directive assigns a default savings level of 71 per cent to sugarcane‐based bioethanol and 31 per cent to soybean‐based biodiesel. Biofuels obtained from biomass grown on lands of high carbon stock or high biodiversity value would not qualify as sustainable under the directive, based on the land’s status in January 2008. However, the directive leaves open the possibility of converting some savannahs and open forests to biomass production. Amendments reported by the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) but not incorporated within the directive would have called on second‐generation biofuels and vehicles powered by renewable sources of electricity or hydrogen to supply at least 40 per cent of the 10 per cent goal, and they would have treated all of Brazil’s savannahs and many of its open forests as unsustainable places for biomass production.
What is Corpus Linguistics?
Authors: Gries Stefan Th. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractCorpus linguistics is one of the fastest‐growing methodologies in contemporary linguistics. In a conversational format, this article answers a few questions that corpus linguists regularly face from linguists who have not used corpus‐based methods so far. It discusses some of the central assumptions (‘formal distributional differences reflect functional differences’), notions (corpora, representativity and balancedness, markup and annotation), and methods of corpus linguistics (frequency lists, concordances, collocations), and discusses a few ways in which the discipline still needs to mature.
Metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease
Authors: RUAN Xiongzhong , GUAN Youfei 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing worldwide in both developing and developed countries. Experimental and clinical studies have revealed that MetS plays an important role in the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD), which leads to end‐stage renal disease. Emerging evidence also suggests that CKD may actually cause MetS since the kidney is an important organ of glucose and lipid homeostasis. Although multiple mechanisms have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of MetS, insulin resistance appears to be a central pathophysiological factor contributing to MetS. In this review we will discuss the association of MetS with insulin resistance and CKD, and the renal pathophysiological changes associated with MetS.
How Isometric Are the Medial Patellofemoral, Superficial Medial Collateral, and Lateral Collateral Ligaments of the Knee?
Authors: Victor Jan , Wong Pius , Witvrouw Eric , Sloten Jos Vander , Bellemans Johan 
Published: July 2009

Background Ligament isometry is a cornerstone in the description of normal knee function and thorough knowledge is mandatory for successful repair of torn ligaments. Purpose This study was undertaken to validate a novel experimental model for the study of ligament strains and to determine the length changes in the superficial medial collateral, lateral collateral, and medial patellofemoral ligaments. Study Design Descriptive laboratory study. Methods Passive motions and loaded squats of 12 cadaveric specimens were performed while controlling ankle load and optically tracking the motion of the bones. Preexperiment and postexperiment computed axial tomography scans allow the transformation of rigid body motion to relative motion of relevant anatomic landmarks on the femur, tibia, and patella. Results The superficial medial collateral ligament is a near-isometric ligament with a strain of less than 2%. The ligament is a little more slack in midflexion (30° to 50°) and in deep flexion, but length changes are not significant ( P > .05). The lateral collateral ligament behaves near isometric (<2% strain) from 0° to 70° of knee flexion. Cartilage compression in a loaded environment relieves tension from the collateral ligaments ( P < .05). The medial patellofemoral ligament is nonisometric. The cranial part of the medial patellofemoral ligament is most taut at full extension, while the caudal part is most taut at 30° of knee flexion. Conclusion Ligament insertion sites on the femur, patella, and fibula can be derived from computed axial tomography scans. The described model allows the study of dynamic ligament behavior. The superficial medial collateral ligament is a near-isometric ligament with no significant length changes. The medial patellofemoral ligament behaves differently in its cranial and caudal parts. Clinical Relevance In knees with chronic medial collateral ligament insufficiency, isometric repair of the superficial medial collateral ligament can be attempted. A medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction with a double fixation on the medial patellar border is supported. The cranial bundle should be tightened at full extension and the caudal bundle at 30° of knee flexion.
Rationales, design and recruitment of the Taizhou Longitudinal Study
Authors: Wang Xiaofeng , Lu Ming , Qian Ji , Yang Yajun , Li Shilin , Lu Daru , Yu Shunzhang , Meng Wei , Ye Weimin , Jin Li 
Published: July 2009

Abstract

Background
Rapid economic growth in China in the past decades has been accompanied by dramatic changes in lifestyle and environmental exposures. The burdens of non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer, have also increased substantially.

Methods/design
We initiated a large prospective cohort–the Taizhou Longitudinal Study–in Taizhou (a medium-size city in China) to explore the environmental and genetic risk factors for common non-communicable diseases. The sample size of the cohort will be at least 100,000 adults aged 30–80 years drawn from the general residents of the districts of Hailin, Gaogang, and Taixing (sample frame, 1.8 million) of Taizhou. A three-stage stratified sampling method will be applied. Baseline investigations include interviewer-administered questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, and collection of buccal mucosal cells and blood specimens. DNA will be extracted for genetic studies and serum samples will be used for biochemical examinations. A follow-up survey will be conducted every three years to obtain information on disease occurrence and information on selected lifestyle exposures. Study participants will be followed-up indefinitely by using a chronic disease register system for morbidity and cause-specific mortality. Information on non-fatal events will be obtained for certain major categories of disease (e.g., cancer, stroke, myocardial infarction) through established registry systems.

Discussion
The Taizhou Longitudinal Study will provide a good basis for exploring the roles of many important environmental factors (especially those concomitant with the economic transformation in China) for common chronic diseases, solely or via interaction with genetic factors.
Resistin Regulates Pituitary Somatotrope Cell Function through the Activation of Multiple Signaling Pathways
Authors: Rodríguez-Pacheco Francisca , Vázquez-Martínez Rafael , Martínez-Fuentes Antonio J. , Pulido Marina R. , Gahete Manuel D. , Vaudry Hubert , Gracia-Navarro Francisco , Diéguez Carlos , Castaño Justo P. , Malagón Maria M. 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
The adipokine resistin is an insulin-antagonizing factor that also plays a regulatory role in inflammation, immunity, food intake, and gonadal function. Although adipose tissue is the primary source of resistin, it is also expressed in other tissues and organs, including the pituitary. However, there is no information on whether resistin, as described previously for other adipokines such as leptin and adiponectin, could regulate this gland. Likewise, the molecular basis of resistin actions remains largely unexplored. Here we show that administration of resistin to dispersed rat anterior pituitary cells increased GH release in both the short (4 h) and long (24 h) term, decreased mRNA levels of the receptor of the somatotrope regulator ghrelin, and increased free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in single somatotropes. By means of a pharmacological approach, we found that the stimulatory action of resistin occurs through a Gs protein-dependent mechanism and that the adenylate cyclase/cAMP/protein kinase A pathway, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway, protein kinase C, and extracellular Ca2+ entry through L-type voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels are essential players in mediating the effects of resistin on somatotropes. Taken together, our results demonstrate for the first time a regulatory role for resistin on somatotrope function and provide novel insights on the intracellular mechanisms activated by this protein.
Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Regulates Lipolysis in White Adipose Tissue But Is Not Required for Ketogenesis and Triglyceride Clearance in Liver
Authors: Hotta Yuhei , Nakamura Hirotoshi , Konishi Morichika , Murata Yusuke , Takagi Hiroyuki , Matsumura Shigenobu , Inoue Kazuo , Fushiki Tohru , Itoh Nobuyuki 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Fibroblast growth factors (Fgfs) are polypeptide growth factors with diverse functions. Fgf21, a unique member of the Fgf family, is expected to function as a metabolic regulator in an endocrine manner. Hepatic Fgf21 expression was increased by fasting. The phenotypes of hepatic Fgf21 transgenic or knockdown mice and high-fat, low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet-fed mice suggests that Fgf21 stimulates lipolysis in the white adipose tissue during normal feeding and is required for ketogenesis and triglyceride clearance in the liver during fasting. However, the physiological roles of Fgf21 remain unclear. To elucidate the physiological roles of Fgf21, we generated Fgf21 knockout (KO) mice by targeted disruption. Fgf21 KO mice were viable, fertile, and seemingly normal. Food intake, oxygen consumption, and energy expenditure were also essentially unchanged in Fgf21 KO mice. However, hypertrophy of adipocytes, decreased lipolysis in adipocytes, and decreased blood nonesterified fatty acid levels were observed when Fgf21 KO mice were fed normally. In contrast, increased lipolysis in adipocytes and increased blood nonesterified fatty acid levels were observed in Fgf21 KO mice by fasting for 24 h, indicating that Fgf21 stimulates lipolysis in the white adipose tissue during feeding but inhibits it during fasting. In contrast, unexpectedly, hepatic triglyceride levels were essentially unchanged in Fgf21 KO mice. In addition, ketogenesis in Fgf21 KO mice was not impaired by fasting for 24 h. The present results indicate that Fgf21 regulates lipolysis in adipocytes in response to the metabolic state but is not required for ketogenesis and triglyceride clearance in the liver.
Fetal and Neonatal Exposure to the Endocrine Disruptor Methoxychlor Causes Epigenetic Alterations in Adult Ovarian Genes
Authors: Zama Aparna Mahakali , Uzumcu Mehmet 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals during development could alter the epigenetic programming of the genome and result in adult-onset disease. Methoxychlor (MXC) and its metabolites possess estrogenic, antiestrogenic, and antiandrogenic activities. Previous studies showed that fetal/neonatal exposure to MXC caused adult ovarian dysfunction due to altered expression of key ovarian genes including estrogen receptor (ER)-β, which was down-regulated, whereas ERα was unaffected. The objective of the current study was to evaluate changes in global and gene-specific methylation patterns in adult ovaries associated with the observed defects. Rats were exposed to MXC (20 μg/kg·d or 100 mg/kg·d) between embryonic d 19 and postnatal d 7. We performed DNA methylation analysis of the known promoters of ERα and ERβ genes in postnatal d 50–60 ovaries using bisulfite sequencing and methylation-specific PCRs. Developmental exposure to MXC led to significant hypermethylation in the ERβ promoter regions (P &lt; 0.05), whereas the ERα promoter was unaffected. We assessed global DNA methylation changes using methylation-sensitive arbitrarily primed PCR and identified 10 genes that were hypermethylated in ovaries from exposed rats. To determine whether the MXC-induced methylation changes were associated with increased DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) levels, we measured the expression levels of Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b, and Dnmt3l using semiquantitative RT-PCR. Whereas Dnmt3a and Dnmt3l were unchanged, Dnmt3b expression was stimulated in ovaries of the 100 mg/kg MXC group (P &lt; 0.05), suggesting that increased DNMT3B may cause DNA hypermethylation in the ovary. Overall, these data suggest that transient exposure to MXC during fetal and neonatal development affects adult ovarian function via altered methylation patterns.
Impact of Melatonin and Molecular Clockwork Components on the Expression of Thyrotropin β-Chain (Tshb) and the Tsh Receptor in the Mouse Pars Tuberalis
Authors: Unfried Claudia , Ansari Nariman , Yasuo Shinobu , Korf Horst-Werner , von Gall Charlotte 
Published: July 2009

AbstractPhotoperiodic regulation of reproduction in birds and mammals involves thyrotropin β-chain (TSHb), which is secreted from the pars tuberalis (PT) and controls the expression of deiodinase type 2 and 3 in the ependymal cell layer of the infundibular recess (EC) via TSH receptors (TSHRs). To analyze the impact of melatonin and the molecular clockwork on the expression of Tshb and Tshr, we investigated melatonin-proficient C3H wild-type (WT), melatonin receptor 1-deficient (MT1-/-) or clockprotein PERIOD1-deficient (mPER1-/-) mice. Expression of Tshb and TSHb immunoreactivity in PT were low during day and high during the night in WT, high during the day and low during the night in mPER1-deficient, and equally high during the day and night in MT1-deficient mice. Melatonin injections into WT acutely suppressed Tshb expression. Transcription assays showed that the 5′ upstream region of the Tshb gene could be controlled by clockproteins. Tshr levels in PT were low during the day and high during the night in WT and mPER1-deficient mice and equally low in MT1-deficient mice. Tshr expression in the EC did not show a day/night variation. Melatonin injections into WT acutely induced Tshr expression in PT but not in EC. TSH stimulation of hypothalamic slice cultures of WT induced phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein in PT and EC and deiodinase type 2 in the EC. Our data suggest that Tshb expression in PT is controlled by melatonin and the molecular clockwork and that melatonin activates Tshr expression in PT but not in EC. They also confirm the functional importance of TSHR in the PT and EC.
Increasing accuracy and repeatability of fuel consumption measurement in chassis dynamometer testing
Authors: Brace C J , Burke R , Moffa J 
Published: July 2009

The aim of this paper is to identify and investigate the effect of small changes in test conditions when quantifying fuel consumption. Twelve test set-up variables were identified and intentionally perturbed from a standard condition, including the effect of removing the power-assisted steering pump. Initially a design-of-experiments (DoE) approach was adopted and the results showed that most of the tested parameters had significant effects on fuel consumption. Most of these effects were greater than the effect of typical technology changes assessed on chassis dynamometer facilities. For example, an increase of 8.7 per cent in fuel consumption was observed following a 90min battery discharge from vehicle headlamps. Similarly an increase of 5.5 per cent was observed when the rig was run 3km/h faster over a drive cycle, and 2.6 per cent when using tyres deflated by 0.5 bar. As a consequence, statistical tolerancing was used to suggest typical tolerances for test rig set-up variables. For example it was recommended that the tyre pressure be controlled to within 0.1 bar and the test rig speed to 0.3km/h. Further investigations were conducted into the effect of battery discharge, coast-down time, and engine cooling. These highlighted the need for rigorous battery charge management as the battery voltage was found not to be an appropriate measure of the variation in the alternator loading. Coast-down time was found to be a good control measure for a number of set-up variables affecting the rolling resistance of the vehicle. Finally the variations in the engine cooling were quantified using a cumulative engine temperature over a drive cycle. This was found to correlate well with fuel consumption. For each of these subsequent investigations, results were compared with the DoE predictions and found to agree well when considering the relatively low number of tests compared with the number of factors.
Tribological behaviour of lubricated surfaces under application of electric current
Authors: Mahmoud M M , Mohamed M K , Ali W Y 
Published: July 2009

The present work discusses the effect of applying external voltage on the sliding of copper, aluminium, and polyethylene (PE) against steel surface lubricated by paraffin oil dispersed by polymeric particles such as PE, polyamide (PA), and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Experiments were carried out to measure friction and wear of the tested materials. Based on the experimental observations, it can be noticed that the friction coefficient and wear are significantly influenced by the generation of electric static charge on the contact surfaces, which causes an attractive force imposed to the normal load. It is found that wear is more influenced by the electric static charge than friction coefficient. Besides, the effect of the external voltage on generating electric static charge is higher than friction. Among the polymeric particles, crystalline polymers such as PE and PA perform more effectively than glassy polymers such as PMMA. Dispersing oil by polymeric particles does not decrease friction coefficient displayed by aluminium sliding against steel, while aluminium as cathode displays minimum wear. PE as cathode shows minimum wear when the oil is dispersed by polymeric particles. For oil free of polymers, wear of PE pins remarkably increases when they are cathodes.
Metal-Mediated Retro-Allylation of Homoallyl Alcohols for Highly Selective Organic Synthesis
Authors: Yorimitsu Hideki , Oshima Koichiro 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Metal-mediated or -catalyzed retro-allylation of homoallyl alcohol that proceeds via a six-membered transition state has appeared as a new useful method to prepare allylmetals. A crotylzirconium reagent undergoes stereoselective allylation of aromatic aldehyde at −78 and 25 °C to provide threo- and erythro-homoallyl alcohols, respectively. Although the threo isomer is formed as usual via a six-membered chair transition state under kinetic control, the erythro selectivity is rationalized by considering isomerization of the threo adduct through a retro-allylation process. The retro-allylation of a bulky gallium homoallyloxide occurs to generate (Z)- and (E)-crotylgallium reagents stereospecifically, starting from erythro- and threo-homoallyl alcohols, respectively. The (Z)- and (E)-crotylgallium reagents react with aromatic aldehydes in situ to afford the corresponding erythro- and threo-homoallyl alcohols, respectively. Treatment of rationally designed tertiary homoallyl alcohols with aryl halides under palladium catalysis yielded the corresponding allylarenes stereo- and regioselectively, by replacing the conventional transmetalation step in the cross-coupling reaction with alkoxide–halide exchange followed by a retro-allylation reaction. The retro-allylation reaction is also applicable to nickel and rhodium at this stage, and may to any other metals in principle. Reversible additions of pentamethylcyclopentadienyl anion to carbonyl compounds are also described.
Ferromagnetic Assemblies Composed of MnIII Salen-Type Complexes and a Tripodal FeIII Complex with an Imidazolate Bridge
Authors: Ishikawa Ryuta , Miyasaka Hitoshi , Yamashita Masahiro 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
The use of a low-spin FeIII complex bearing three imidazolate groups in a reaction with MnIII salen-type complexes provided two different imidazolate-bridged MnIII–FeIII assemblies, a dinuclear complex and a one-dimensional chain, dependent on the salen ligand and counter ion used. Both compounds exhibit a ferromagnetic exchange between MnIII and FeIII centers via the imidazolate linkage.
Bromine Adducts of 9,10-Diheteratriptycene Derivatives
Authors: Uchiyama Yosuke , Sugimoto Jun , Shibata Munenori , Yamamoto Gaku , Mazaki Yasuhiro 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
2,3,6,7,14,15-Hexamethyl-9,10-diphosphatriptycene (1), 2,3,6,7,14,15-hexamethyl-9-phospha-10-stibatriptycene (2), and 2,3,6,7,14,15-hexamethyl-9,10-distibatriptycene (3) were synthesized and their molecular structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. Reactions of 2 and 3 with bromine gave the corresponding adducts 8 and 9 with the compositions 2·2Br2 and 3·2Br2, respectively. Both of the adducts 8 and 9 have a zwitterionic structure composed of a hexacoordinate stiborate anion, (R3SbBr3−) and a tetracoordinate phosphonium/stibonium cation (R3MBr+: M = P or Sb) in the crystalline state. 1H and 31P NMR spectra of the adduct 8 indicated that the structure is static in solution at room temperature. On the other hand, 1H NMR spectra of the adduct 9 suggested fast topomerization at 27 °C, which becomes slow on the NMR time scale at −90 °C. Recrystallization of the adduct 9 from THF–mesitylene gave crystals with the composition of 3·2Br2·2THF, in which each antimony atom bonds to two bromine atoms and one THF oxygen to give an octahedral geometry.
Isolation and Reaction of 1,2-Dithietan-3-one: Formation of Thiolato Thiocarboxylato Metal Complexes
Authors: Shigetomi Toshiyuki , Okuma Kentaro , Nagahora Noriyoshi , Yokomori Yoshinobu 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
The reaction of 4,4-di-tert-butyl-1,2-dithietan-3-one with triphenylphosphine afforded 1,1-di-tert-butylthiiran-2-one (86%). The reaction of 4,4-di-tert-butyl-1,2-dithietan-3-one with phenylmagnesium bromide gave S-phenyl 2-tert-butyl-2-mercapto-3,3-dimethylbutanethioate in 83% yield. The reaction of 4,4-di-tert-butyl-1,2-dithietan-3-one with tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) gave square-planar complex in 84% yield, whose structure was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis.