bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of equine respiratory mechanics by impulse oscillometry
Authors: VAN ERCK E. , VOTION D. , ART T. , LEKEUX P. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryReasons for performing study: The long‐ established conventional reference technique (CRT) for measuring respiratory mechanics in horses lacks sensitivity and there is a need for further refinement in new technology, such as the impulse oscillometry system (IOS).Objectives: To evaluate the potential use of the IOS as a clinical respiratory function test and compare it to the current CRT in horses suffering from common upper and lower airway dysfunctions.Methods: Six healthy horses were tested before and after induction of a unilateral nasal obstruction (UNO) or transient left laryngeal hemiplegia (LLH). Six heaves‐affected horses were tested in clinical remission and during a heaves crisis, before and after nebulisation of cumulative doses of a bronchodilator therapy (ipratropium bromide; IPB).Results: As opposed to the CRT, the IOS was able to detect partial upper airway obstruction (UAO) caused by UNO or LLH in resting horses, without differentiating both conditions. Upper airway obstruction caused an upward shift of resistance (Rrs) from 5 to 35 Hz without altering reactance (Xrs). As for the CRT, IOS respiratory parameters measured in heaves‐affected horses in crisis differed significantly from values measured during remission. The difference in frequency‐dependent behaviour of Rrsand Xrsallowed discrimination between upper and lower airway obstructions. Bronchodilator treatment induced significant dose‐dependent changes in Xrsat 5 and 10 Hz, from the first dose. Total pulmonary resistance (RL) and Rrsat 5 Hz were affected from the second dose and displayed similar sensitivity. Although post treatment RLvalues were comparable to remission, Rrsand Xrsremained significantly different, characterising persistent peripheral obstruction.Conclusions: The IOS was more sensitive than the CRT in detecting partial UAO in resting horses and persistent post treatment peripheral dysfunction in heaves‐affected horses. The IOS is a sensitive test that provides graded quantitative and qualitative information on disease‐induced respiratory dysfunctions as well as on treatment efficiency in horses.Potential relevance: The IOS could represent a practical and sensitive alternative respiratory function test for routine clinical investigations of common airway obstructive diseases and therapy in horses.
Results of plate fixation oftype 5olecranon fractures in 20 horses
Authors: SWOR T. M. , WATKINS J. P. , BAHR A. , EPSTEIN K. L. , HONNAS C. M. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryReasons for performing study: Previous olecranon fracture reports contain a small proportion oftype 5fractures, mostly treated with conservative therapy.Objectives: To evaluate the clinical details and outcome oftype 5olecranon fractures in a large group of horses treated by tension band plate fixation and to compare results with other treatment methods.Methods: Medical records of 97 cases, including 32 (33%) classified astype 5, were reviewed. Subject details, history, radiographic findings, treatment and follow‐up results (2–146 months post operatively) were recorded.Results: Treatment included open reduction and internal fixation using a narrow or broad dynamic compression plate (n = 20), conservative therapy (n = 7) and euthanasia (n = 5). Long‐term follow‐up was available in 15 cases treated surgically, of which 2 were sound and in training, 11 sound and performing athletically and 2 unsound. Distal semilunar notch involvement, comminution or open status did not appear to affect prognosis.Conclusions: Internal plate fixation provides an excellent prognosis for an animal to be capable of athletic performance.Potential relevance: Describing tension band plate fixation and results offers a method of fracture repair that should improve treatment and prognosis fortype 5olecranon fractures.
Evaluation of a nested PCR test and bacterial culture of swabs from the nasal passages and from abscesses in relation to diagnosis of Streptococcus equi infection (strangles)
Authors: GRØNBÆK L. MØLLER , ANGEN Ø. , VIGRE H. , OLSEN S. NAUTRUP 
Published: April 2007

Summary Reasons for performing study: Streptococcus equi is the cause of strangles in horses. To improve diagnostic sensitivity, development and evaluation of DNA‐based methods are necessary. Objectives: To evaluate diagnostic methods and observe the pattern of bacterial shedding during natural outbreaks. Methods: Two herds with natural outbreaks of strangles were visited over a period of 15 weeks and 323 samples originating from 35 horses investigated. The diagnostic use of a nested PCR test was evaluated using a collection of 165 isolates of Lancefield group C streptococci (species specificity) and swabs from nasal passages or from abscesses from horses infected with S. equi (diagnostic sensitivity). Results: All 45 S. equi isolates tested positive in the nested PCR, whereas no amplicon was formed when testing the other 120 Lancefield group C isolates. A total of 43 samples were collected from 11 horses showing clinical signs of strangles during the study period. The diagnostic sensitivity for PCR test was 45% and 80% for samples from the nasal passages and abscesses, respectively; the corresponding diagnostic sensitivity for cultivation was 18% and 20%. The diagnostic sensitivity was significantly higher for PCR than for bacterial cultivation. Furthermore, the shedding of S. equi in 2 infected horse populations was evaluated. An intermittent shedding period of S. equi of up to 15 weeks was recorded in this part of the study. It was also shown that shedding of S. equi occurred both from horses with and without clinical signs. Conclusions and potential relevance: The nested PCR test represents a species‐specific and ‐sensitive method for diagnosis of S. equi from clinical samples. It may, however, be desirable in future to develop detection methods with high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity without the potential problems inherent in nested PCR.
Extending the Frisch scheme for errors‐in‐variables identification to correlated output noise
Authors: Söderström Torsten 
Published: April 2007

AbstractSeveral estimation methods have been proposed for identifying errors‐in‐variables systems, where both input and output measurements are corrupted by noise. One of the promising approaches is the so‐called Frisch scheme. In its standard form, it is designed to handle white measurement noise on the input and output sides. As the output noise comprises both effects of measurement errors and of process disturbances, it is much more realistic to allow correlated output noise. It is described in the paper how the Frisch scheme can be extended to such cases. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanometer‐Sized Copper Sulfide Hollow Spheres with Strong Optical‐Limiting Properties
Authors: Yu X.‐L. , Cao C.‐B. , Zhu H.‐S. , Li Q.‐S. , Liu C.‐L. , Gong Q.‐H. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractCuS semiconductor nanometer‐sized hollow spheres are successfully synthesized by using a soft‐template method. A possible growth mechanism is proposed. The linear optical property of the CuS hollow spheres is examined by means of photoluminescence spectroscopy at room temperature. The optical‐limiting (OL) property of these nanostructures is characterized by using a nanosecond Q‐switched YAG laser and an optical parametric oscillator pumped with Surelite‐III. A strong OL response is detected for the CuS hollow spheres in both visible and near infrared (NIR) spectral ranges, which makes these promising materials for applications such as the protection of human eyes or as optical sensors for high‐power laser irradiation. The OL mechanism of the CuS hollow‐sphere nanostructure may be the combination of free‐carrier absorption (FCA) and nonlinear scattering.
ZnO Nanotetrapods: Controlled Vapor‐Phase Synthesis and Application for Humidity Sensing
Authors: Qiu Y. , Yang S. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA systematic study on controlled synthesis of ZnO nanotetrapods by combining metal‐vapor transport, oxidative nucleation/growth, fast‐flow quenching, and water‐assisted cleaning is reported. The technique developed in this work makes possible the fabrication of ZnO nanotetrapods with different morphologies, with arm diameters down to 17 nm, and with arm lengths ranging from 50 nm up to a few micrometers. The octa‐twin model is verified for the growth of the ZnO nanotetrapods. Photoluminescence (PL) studies indicate a higher level of surface and subsurface oxygen vacancies for smaller ZnO nanotetrapods. The ZnO nanotetrapods are first used for the fabrication of resistor‐type humidity sensors, which show high sensitivity, quick response/recovery, long lifetime, and a wide range of humidity response. These favorite characteristics of the humidity sensors are ascribed to the unique morphology of the nanotetrapods, which can create a film with faceted pores and large internal surfaces.
Carbon‐Decorated FePt Nanoparticles
Authors: Caiulo N. , Yu C. H. , Yu K. M. K. , Lo C. C. H. , Oduro W. , Thiebaut B. , Bishop P. , Tsang S. C. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractFePt magnetic nanoparticles are an important candidate material for many future magnetic applications. FePt exists as two main phases, that is, a disordered face‐centered cubic (fcc) structure, which is generally prepared by chemical methods at low temperatures, and the high‐temperature chemically ordered face‐centered tetragonal (fct) structure. The fcc FePt, with low coercivity but associated with superparamagnetic properties, may find applications as a magnetic fluid or as a nanoscale carrier for chemical or biochemical species in biomedical areas, while fct FePt is proposed for use in ultrahigh‐density magnetic recording applications. However, for both of these applications an enhancement of the intrinsically weak magnetic properties, the avoidance of magnetic interferences from neighbor particles, and the improved stability of the small magnetic body remain key practical issues. We report a simple synthetic method for producing FePt nanoparticles that involves hydrothermal treatment of Fe and Pt precursors in glucose followed by calcination at 900 °C. This new method produces thermally stable spheroidal graphite nanoparticles (large and fullerene‐like) that encapsulate or decorate FePt particles of ca. 5 nm with no severe macroscopic particle coalescence. Also, a low coercivity of the material is recorded; indicative of small magnetic interference from neighboring carbon‐coated particles. Thus, this simple synthetic method involves the use of a more environmentally acceptable glucose/aqueous phase to offer a protective coating for FePt nanoparticles. It is also believed that such a synthetic protocol can be readily extended to the preparation of other graphite‐coated magnetic iron alloys of controlled size, stoichiometry, and physical properties.
Structure–Property–Function Relationships in Nanoscale Oxide Sensors: A Case Study Based on Zinc Oxide
Authors: Polarz S. , Roy A. , Lehmann M. , Driess M. , Kruis F. E. , Hoffmann A. , Zimmer P. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractChemical sensing on oxide sensors is a complex phenomenon involving catalytic activity as well as electronic properties. Thus, the properties of oxide sensors are highly sensitive towards structural changes. Effects like surface area, grain size, and, in addition, the occurrence of defects give separate contributions to the current. Structure–property–function relationships can be elucidated using a combination of state‐of‐the‐art analytical techniques. It is shown, that impurity atoms in the oxide lattice influence the performance of ZnO sensors more strongly than the other factors.
Retinal vessel diameters and the role of inflammation in cerebrovascular disease
Authors: De Jong Frank Jan , Ikram M. Kamran , Witteman Jacqueline C. M. , Hofman Albert , De Jong Paulus T. V. M. , Breteler Monique M. B. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractRetinal vessels may provide a way to study the cerebral microcirculation. In particular, larger retinal venular diameters have been associated with cerebrovascular disease. An inflammatory response may underlie this association. In a population‐based cohort study among 5,279 participants aged 55 years or older with graded retinal vessel diameters, we observed that greater serum levels of C‐reactive protein and fibrinogen and greater lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 activity were strongly associated with larger venular diameters. Weaker associations were found with arteriolar diameters. Our findings support the hypothesis that larger retinal venular diameters reflect systemic inflammation and suggest that inflammation is involved in cerebrovascular disease. Ann Neurol 2007
Influence of organophilic montmorillonite and polypropylene on the rheological behaviors and mechanical properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene
Authors: Gai Jinggang , Li Huilin 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe effects of organophilic montmorillonite (OM)/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hybrids and polypropylene (PP) on the phase morphology, rheological behaviors, and mechanical properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) were investigated. The presence of the OM/PEG hybrids and PP in UHMWPE was found that it was able to lead to a significant reduction of melt viscosity and enhancement in tensile strength, and elongation at break of UHMWPE. A quantitative analysis indicated a larger affinity of the OM to the PEG than to PP or UHMWPE in the composites, suggesting that OM was intercalated by PEG. This was proposed to be responsible for the reduction of viscosity. Polarizing optical microscopy analysis, on the other hand, indicated that the dispersed OM, which acted as a nucleating agent, lowered the spherulite dimension and increased the spherulite number, resulting in high tensile strength and elongation at break. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Development of environmentally responsive hydrogels with metal affinity behavior
Authors: Iyer Ganesh , Yoon Young‐Seo , Coleman Maria R. , Nadarajah Arunan 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis work describes initial efforts to incorporate affinity ligands within an environmentally responsive hydrogel. Metal affinity ligands were chosen as model affinity groups and thermally responsiveN‐isopropyl acrylamide/acrylamide copolymers were used as the base hydrogels. The NH2group of the acrylamide serves as a reactive group for functionalization with metal affinity ligands. The gels were synthesized by free radical polymerization and Cu2+was bound to the gel via 1,4‐butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDE) as a linker and iminodiacetic acid (IDA) as a chelating ligand. The base acrylamide gels were also functionalized with metal affinity ligands to allow for comparison with thermally responsive affinity gels. The results show the effectiveness of this technique for both these types of gels, and an improved method to immobilize metal affinity groups on to thermally sensitiveN‐isopropyl acrylamide gels was also developed. It was seen that the yields for the reaction with BDE decreased with increased reaction time in both kinds of gels, whereas reaction with IDA showed a decrease in yields with increase in temperature forN‐isoporpyl acrylamide gels and increase in yields for acrylamide gels. Further techniques were developed to overcome diffusional resistances and stresses in the thermally responsiveN‐isopropyl acrylamide gels so as to improve the distribution of Cu2+ions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007
Comparison of quasisteady‐state performance of the DEAMOX process under intermittent and continuous feeding and different nitrogen loading rates
Authors: Kalyuzhnyi Sergey , Gladchenko Marina , Mulder Arnold , Versprille Bram 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe recently developed denitrifying ammonium oxidation (DEAMOX) process combines the anammox reaction with autotrophic denitrifying conditions using sulfide as an electron donor for the production of nitrite from nitrate within an anaerobic biofilm. This paper compares a quasisteady‐state performance of this process for treatment of baker's yeast wastewater under intermittent and continuous feeding and increasing nitrogen loading rate (NLR) from 300 till 858 mg N/L/d. The average total nitrogen removal slightly decreased on increasing the NLR: from 86 to 79% (intermittent feeding) and from 87 to 84% (continuous feeding). The better performance under continuous feeding was due to a more complete nitrate removal in the former case whereas the ammonia removal was similar for both feeding regimes under the comparable NLR. A possible explanation can be that, during continuous feeding (simultaneous supply of nitrate and sulfide), there were less mass transfer limitations for sulfide oxidizing denitrifiers presumably located in the outer layer of sludge aggregates. On the contrary, the ammonia oxidisers presumably located inside the aggregates apparently suffered from nitrite mass transfer limitations under both the feedings. The paper further describes some characteristics of the DEAMOX sludge.
In vivo glyco‐engineered antibody with improved lytic potential produced by an innovative non‐mammalian expression system
Authors: Schuster Manfred , Jost Wolfgang , Mudde Geert C. , Wiederkum Susanne , Schwager Cornelia , Janzek Evelyne , Altmann Friedrich , Stadlmann Johannes , Stemmer Christian , Gorr Gilbert 
Published: April 2007

AbstractRecent studies have demonstrated that the reduction of the core fucosylation on N‐glycans of human IgGs is responsible for a clearly enhanced antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). This finding might give access to improved active therapeutic antibodies. Here, the expression of the tumor antigen‐specific antibody IGN311 was performed in a glyco‐optimized strain of the moss Physcomitrella patens. Removal of plant specific N‐glycan structures in this plant expression host was achieved by targeted knockout of corresponding genes and included quantitative elimination of core fucosylation. Antibodies transiently expressed and secreted by such genetically modified moss protoplasts assembled correctly, showed an unaltered antigen‐binding affinity and, in extensive tests, revealed an up to 40‐fold enhanced ADCC. Thus, the glyco‐engineered moss‐based transient expression platform combines a rapid technology with the subsequent analysis of glycooptimized therapeutics with regard to advanced properties.
Chemically defined medium environment for the development of renal stem cells into tubules
Authors: Hu Kanghong , Denk Lucia , de Vries Uwe , Minuth Will W. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe use of stem cells is a valuable therapeutical option for the regeneration of diseased tissues and organs. However, the involved cellular processes are hardly known. To gain detailed information about their development, a new culture technology was developed. Embryonic renal tissue containing stem/progenitor cells was mounted within a perfusion culture container at the interface of an artificial interstitium made of polyester. Using this innovative approach we show that renal tubules develop in chemically defined Iscove's modified Dulbecco's medium without serum addition and without coating by extracellular matrix proteins. The development of tubules depends on the administration of aldosterone, and can be visualized by immunohistochemical labeling. The presented technology makes the exact analysis of developmental steps now possible, and provides a new powerful tool to optimize growth and differentiation of renal stem cells. It may also enable many other kinds of stem cells to steer their development into functional tissues under clearly defined in vitro conditions.
Temperature induced denaturation of collagen in acidic solution
Authors: Mu Changdao , Li Defu , Lin Wei , Ding Yanwei , Zhang Guangzhao 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe denaturation of collagen solution in acetic acid has been investigated by using ultra‐sensitive differential scanning calorimetry (US‐DSC), circular dichroism (CD), and laser light scattering (LLS). US‐DSC measurements reveal that the collagen exhibits a bimodal transition, i.e., there exists a shoulder transition before the major transition. Such a shoulder transition can recover from a cooling when the collagen is heated to a temperature below 35°C. However, when the heating temperature is above 37°C, both the shoulder and major transitions are irreversible. CD measurements demonstrate the content of triple helix slowly decreases with temperature at a temperature below 35°C, but it drastically decreases at a higher temperature. Our experiments suggest that the shoulder transition and major transition arise from the defibrillation and denaturation of collagen, respectively. LLS measurements show the average hydrodynamic radius 〈Rh〉, radius of gyration 〈Rg〉of the collagen gradually decrease before a sharp decrease at a higher temperature. Meanwhile, the ratio 〈Rg〉/〈Rh〉 gradually increases at a temperature below ∼ 34°C and drastically increases in the range 34–40°C, further indicating the defibrillation of collagen before the denaturation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 86: 282–287, 2007.This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Post‐harvest HPLC determination of chlorfluazuron residues in pears treated with different programs
Authors: Shim Jae‐Han , Abd El‐Aty A. M. , Choi Jeong‐Heui , Choi Yong‐Sun 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe present study was conducted to monitor the level of chlorfluazuron residues in pear samples in order to assess the risk posed by the presence of such residues to the consumer. Chlorfluazuron was sprayed onto pear trees at the recommended dose rate at two different times at 30 and 21 days prior to harvesting in one treatment, at 21 and 14 days prior to harvesting in another treatment, and three times at 30, 21 and 14 days prior to harvesting in a third treatment. Chlorfluazuron residues were extracted with acetonitrile and partitioned into ethyl acetate. The residue determination was performed on an Apollo C18 column using HPLC with a UV detection of 254 nm following the clean‐up of the extract by open column chromatography with Florisil. The versatility of this method was evidenced by its good linearity (>0.995) in the concentration range between 0.2 and 10 µg/mL. The majority of the mean recoveries at two different fortification levels, 0.05 and 0.25 ppm, ranged from 84.9 ± 3.2 to 94.3 ± 10.6, and the repeatability (as the relative standard deviation) from three repetitive determinations of recovery was between 3.8 and 11%. The calculated limit of detection (LOD) was 0.008 ppm and the limit of quantitation was 0.03 ppm. Trace amounts of chlorfluazuron were detectable when it was applied onto the pear trees at two or three times prior to harvesting; however, the levels of chlorfluazuron were not quantified. The excellent sensitivity and selectivity of this method allowed for quantitation and identification at low levels with a run time of less than 12 min. Chlorfluazuron can be used safely to protect pears when sprayed two or three times at 14 days prior to harvesting. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.