bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of GdBaCo2O5 + δ as Cathode Material for Doped Lanthanum Gallate Electrolyte IT‐SOFCs
Authors: Peña‐Martínez J. , Tarancón A. , Marrero‐López D. , Ruiz‐Morales J. C. , Núñez and P. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe layered perovskite GdBaCo2O5 + δ (GBCO), recently proposed for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell applications, was investigated and compared with Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3 – δ (BSCF) cathode material using La0.9A0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O2.85 (A=Sr,Ba) as electrolytes. Area‐specific resistance was measured by impendance spectroscopy in symmetrical cells. The cobaltites were prepared by a modified citrate sol–gel route and tested as cathode materials for doped lanthanum gallate‐based cells using dry H2 as fuel and air as oxidant, rendering power density values of 180 and 240 mW cm–2 at 1,073 K (1 mm thick pellets) for GBCO and BSCF fuel cells, respectively.
What makes responses prepotent for young children? Insights from the grass–snow task
Authors: Simpson Andrew , Riggs Kevin J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractUnderstanding how responses become prepotent is essential for understanding when inhibitory control is needed in everyday behaviour. We investigated prepotency in the grass–snow task—in which a child points to a green card when the experimenter says ‘snow’ and a white card when the experimenter says ‘grass’. Experiment 1 (n=48, mean age=3.5 years) investigated the response method effect—whether pointing is prepotent because it is habitual. Experiment 2 (n=60, mean age=3.5 years) investigated the response set effect—whether responses are prepotent because the child plans to make them in the task. Experiment 2 also provided evidence that children could remember the rules in the task. Experiment 3 (n=30, mean age=3.4 years) produced further evidence that children could remember these rules. We found no evidence for the response method and response set effects, suggesting that prepotency in the grass–snow task is more ‘stimulus‐driven’ than in tasks previously studied. The implications of our findings are discussed in relation to other developmental inhibitory tasks and to children's reliance on inhibitory control to regulate their everyday behaviour. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maidum's challenge, legal and governance issues in dealing with cross‐border business enterprise group insolvencies
Authors: Sarra Janis 
Published: July 2008

AbstractMaidum was an early Egyptian pyramid, the first attempt to build a true pyramid; but it suffered a spectacular collapse. In many jurisdictions, corporate structures are pyramidal in shape, with related enterprises conducting business in multiple jurisdictions. Where such structures financially collapse, creditors of different entities within a business enterprise group compete for limited assets that may or may not be located in the entity in which they have advanced credit and thus have claims. This article discusses the challenges posed by cross‐border business enterprise group insolvency and the range of procedural mechanisms that may be available to protect creditors' claims, articulating broad principles that should be considered in such cases. The choice of cooperation and coordination mechanism is driven in part by whether the particular jurisdiction emphasizes liquidation or restructuring as the objective of the insolvency proceeding. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparing empirical results of transaction avoidance rules studies
Authors: van Dijck Gijs 
Published: July 2008

AbstractEmpirical legal research in the United Kingdom (UK) and in The Netherlands (NL) has provided data on the extent to which the transaction avoidance rules (avoidance powers, actio Pauliana) generate practical problems. This paper's goal is to explore the similarities and differences of the data. To achieve this, existing empirical data found in Dutch and UK research are compared. From the comparison, it follows that the UK and NL share similar problems, that is there are no proceeds in a substantial number of cases in which the office‐holder (or liquidator) encounters a suspect transaction, the majority of the disputes are conducted in the shadow of the law, proceeds are obtained more often from settlements than from proceedings, insufficient funds and evidence problems are experienced as major obstacles for successfully invoking the transaction avoidance rules, and a presumption or shift of burden of proof influences the outcome significantly. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Requirement of a functional spindle checkpoint for arsenite‐induced apoptosis
Authors: Wu Yi‐Chen , Yen Wen‐Yen , Yih Ling‐Huei 
Published: July 2008

AbstractTo understand the potential influence of spindle checkpoint function in response to arsenic trioxide (ATO)‐induced apoptosis observed in cancer cell lines, we examined the correlation between activation of the spindle checkpoint and susceptibility to ATO‐induced apoptosis in 10 cancer cell lines lacking functional p53. The ability to functionally activate the spindle checkpoint in each cancer cell line was assessed by the induction of mitotic arrest after Taxol treatment. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) pulse‐chase analysis of Taxol‐treated cell lines with low mitotic arrest showed that they were not arrested at mitosis but divided abnormally, confirming that spindle checkpoint activation was impaired in these cell lines. Our results demonstrate that apoptosis was significantly induced by ATO in cancer cell lines with functional activation of the spindle checkpoint and substantial induction of mitotic arrest. Cell lines with negligible mitotic arrest exhibited little ATO‐induced apoptosis. However, no such correlation was observed following treatment of cells with camptothecin, a topoisomerase I inhibitor. Furthermore, attenuation of the spindle checkpoint function by small interfering RNA‐mediated silencing of BubR1 and Mad2 in cancer cells that were susceptible to ATO‐induced mitotic arrest and apoptosis greatly reduced the induction of mitotic arrest and apoptosis by ATO and increased the formation of micronuclei or multinuclei in survived cells. The marked correlation between ATO‐induced mitotic arrest and apoptosis indicates that the induction of apoptosis by ATO was highly dependent on the functional activation of the spindle checkpoint in cancer cells lacking normal p53 function. J. Cell. Biochem. 105: 678–687, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PK 11195 differentially affects cell survival in human wild‐type and 18 kDa translocator protein‐silenced ADF astrocytoma cells
Authors: Chelli Beatrice , Salvetti Alessandra , Da Pozzo Eleonora , Rechichi Mariarosa , Spinetti Francesca , Rossi Leonardo , Costa Barbara , Lena Annalisa , Rainaldi Giuseppe , Scatena Fabrizio , Vanacore Renato , Gremigni Vittorio , Martini Claudia 
Published: July 2008

AbstractGliomas are the most common brain tumours with a poor prognosis due to their aggressiveness and propensity for recurrence. The 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) has been demonstrated to be greatly expressed in glioma cells and its over‐expression has been correlated with glioma malignance grades. Due to both its high density in tumours and the pro‐apoptotic activity of its ligands, TSPO has been suggested as a promising target in gliomas. With the aim to evidence if the TSPO expression level alters glioma cell susceptibility to undergo to cell death, we analysed the effects of the specific TSPO ligand, PK 11195, in human astrocytoma wild‐type and TSPO‐silenced cell lines. As first step, TSPO was characterised in human astrocytoma cell line (ADF). Our data demonstrated the presence of a single class of TSPO binding sites highly expressed in mitochondria. PK 11195 cell treatment activated an autophagic pathway followed by apoptosis mediated by the modulation of the mitochondrial permeability transition. In TSPO‐silenced cells, produced by siRNA technique, a reduced cell proliferation rate and a decreased cell susceptibility to the PK 11195‐induced anti‐proliferative effect and mitochondrial potential dissipation were demonstrated respect to control cells. In conclusion, for the first time, PK 11195 was demonstrated to differentially affect glioma cell survival in relation to TSPO expression levels. These results encourage the development of specific‐cell strategies for the treatment of gliomas, in which TSPO is highly expressed respect to normal cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 105: 712–723, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
From fibroblasts to iPS cells: Induced pluripotency by defined factors
Authors: Zhao Rui , Daley George Q. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPatient‐specific pluripotent cells may serve as a limitless source of transplantable tissue to treat a number of human blood and degenerative diseases without causing immune rejection. Recently, isolation of patient‐specific induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells was achieved by transducing fibroblasts with four transcription factors, Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c‐Myc. However, the use of oncogenes and retrovirus in the current iPS cell establishment protocol raises safety concerns. To generate clinical quality iPS cells, the development of novel reprogramming methods that avoid permanent genetic modification is highly desired. The molecular mechanisms that mediate reprogramming are essentially unknown. We argue that establishment of a stable and self‐sustainable ES‐specific transcriptional regulatory network is essential for reprogramming. Such a system should include expression of Oct4, Sox2, Nanog and probably other pluripotenty‐promoting factors from endogenous loci and establishment of a permissive epigenetic state to maintain such expression. In addition, though not yet proven experimentally, overcoming cellular senescence of fibroblasts by inactivating Rb and p53 pathways and up‐regulating telomerase activity may also be required. J. Cell. Biochem. 105: 949–955, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Is regulation of aromatase expression in reptiles the key to understanding temperature‐dependent sex determination?
Authors: Lance Valentine A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA brief review of our current understanding (or lack of understanding) of the molecular basis of temperature‐dependent sex determination (TSD) in reptiles is presented. Current theories are discussed: yolk steroids as sex determinants, the brain as the driver for TSD and the enzyme aromatase and estrogen production as the possible determinants of sex. There is little evidence to support the first two theories, but enough evidence to keep the third theory in play. As yet, however, we have no molecular understanding of how a two‐degree difference in temperature during the temperature‐sensitive phase of egg incubation can initiate the molecular cascade that determines whether the indifferent gonad develops as an ovary or a testis. J. Exp. Zool. 311A:314–322, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Average distance and maximum induced forest
Authors: Hansen Pierre , Hertz Alain , Kilani Rim , Marcotte Odile , Schindl David 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWith the help of the Graffiti system, Fajtlowicz conjectured around 1992 that the average distance between two vertices of a connected graph G is at most half the maximum order of an induced bipartite subgraph of G, denoted α2(G). We prove a strengthening of this conjecture by showing that the average distance between two vertices of a connected graph G is at most half the maximum order of an induced forest, denoted F(G). Moreover, we characterize the graphs maximizing the average distance among all graphs G having a fixed number of vertices and a fixed value of F(G) or α2(G). Finally, we conjecture that the average distance between two vertices of a connected graph is at most half the maximum order of an induced linear forest (where a linear forest is a union of paths). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 60: 31–54, 2009
Piezoelectric biosensors assisted with electroacoustic impedance spectroscopy: a tool for accurate quantitative molecular recognition analysis
Authors: Encarnação João M. , Baltazar Raul , Stallinga Peter , Ferreira Guilherme N. M. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIn this work, electroacoustic impedance analysis based on a modified Butterworth–Van Dyke (BVD) model is used to complement resonance frequency measurements of piezoelectric crystal sensors for the identification and removal of interfering signals. This approach enables the accurate use of the Sauerbrey correlation to establish a direct relationship between mass deposited at the sensor surface and measured frequency variations. Kinetic models can thus be evaluated and binding constants estimated directly from the measured data. We further demonstrate the usefulness of this approach by applying it to the study of the formation of 11‐hydroxy‐1‐undecanothiol self‐assembled monolayers (SAM) as well as to the binding of streptavidin to immobilized biotin. Kinetic and equilibrium parameters were estimated from transient analysis, adsorption isotherms, Scatchard and Hill plots obtained from the frequency data for both the alkanethiol and streptavidin films.This strategy based on electroacoustic impedance assisted quartz‐crystal microbalance (QCM) biosensors is expected to be a major contribution for the use of these piezoelectric devices as a reliable and cheap detection system that can easily be integrated into analytical techniques. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modified electrocardiograph‐triggered black‐blood turbo spin‐echo technique to improve T1‐weighting in contrast‐enhanced MRI of atherosclerotic carotid arteries
Authors: Boussel Loic , Herigault Gwenael , Sigovan Monica , Loffroy Romaric , Canet‐Soulas Emmanuelle , Douek Philippe Charles 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPurposeTo assess the efficacy of a modified electrocardiograph (EKG)‐triggered black‐blood T1W (T1W) spin‐echo sequence in improving contrast on post‐gadolinium high‐resolution carotid plaque imaging by implementing heart‐rate–independent contrast preparation.Materials and MethodsWe used a standard EKG‐triggered double inversion‐recovery (DIR) turbo spin‐echo (TSE) sequence modified with the addition of an extra saturation (90°) radio frequency (RF) pulse placed immediately after the DIR module, shortening the repetition time to a fixed value of 400 msec. A total of 10 patients with atherosclerotic disease were included in the study. Postinjection intraplaque contrast measurements were performed on each patient for the standard and the modified sequence.ResultsPost‐gadolinium‐injection intraplaque contrast was 31.7 ± 12.8% with the standard T1W sequence (nT1‐TSE), and 45.3 ± 17.2% with the modified T1W sequence (mT1‐TSE), showing a significant contrast enhancement of 13.6% (P < 0.001) without significant image quality modification.ConclusionThe addition of a RF pulse to the standard EKG‐triggered T1W TSE sequence increased intraplaque contrast without increasing sequence acquisition time. Furthermore, it appeared to be a robust technique, easy to implement on clinical scanners. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;28:533–537. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transit delay and flow quantification in muscle with continuous arterial spin labeling perfusion‐MRI
Authors: Wu Wen‐Chau , Wang Jiongjiong , Detre John A. , Ratcliffe Sarah J. , Floyd Thomas F. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPurposeTo test the hypothesis that flow measurements using continuous arterial spin labeling (CASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in muscle depend upon transit delay, and examine the repeatability of CASL measurements.Materials and MethodsA total of 23 healthy subjects underwent CASL imaging of the calf, foot, and forearm with varying postlabeling delay (PLD = 1000, 1500, and 1900 msec). Experiments were conducted on a 3.0T system. An orthopedic tourniquet system was employed to create a five‐minute period of ischemia followed by a transient hyperemic flow. Imaging commenced two minutes prior to cuff inflation and ended three minutes after cuff release.ResultsCASL was found able to well resolve the time course of the hyperemic flow pattern with an effective TR of 16 seconds, although we were unable to establish that a plateau had been reached in the flow measurements even at a PLD as long as 1900 msec. Peak hyperemic flow measurements compared favorably with those obtained with contrast‐enhanced (CE) MRI following a similar period of ischemia. Region‐of‐interest (ROI)–based repeated measurements varied by approximately 20% over a period of one hour.ConclusionIn all anatomic regions studied, flow measurements were found to increase with PLD, suggesting the prolonged transit delay in muscle. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;28:445–452. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Real‐time catheter‐directed MRA with effective background suppression and persistent rendering
Authors: Guttman Michael A. , Raval Amish N. , Lederman Robert J. , McVeigh Elliot R. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPurposeTo develop an imaging and visualization technique for real‐time magnetic resonance angiography (rtMRA) fully integrated with a real‐time interactive imaging environment on a clinical MR scanner.Materials and MethodsIntraarterial injections of contrast agent and imaging processing techniques were employed for rapid catheter‐directed assessment of vessel patency and regional tissue perfusion. Operators can image multiple thin slices to maximize anatomic detail or use thick slice or projection imaging to maximize vessel coverage. Techniques in both pulse sequence and image processing were employed to ensure background suppression. Accumulation of maximum pixel values allows persistent display of bolus signal as it passes through the vessels and into tissues. Automatic brightness adjustment was used to ensure visibility at all stages of bolus passage.ResultsExperimental intraarterial rtMRA of coronary, renal, and carotid arteries show that vessel trajectories and perfusion territories are well visualized in swine. Switching between standard real‐time imaging and rtMRA imaging after contrast injection was easy to perform during a procedure without stopping the scanner.ConclusionThe proposed technique facilitates visualization of intraarterial contrast injections using real‐time MRI. Although designed for rapid deployment during rtMRI‐guided interventional procedures, the technique may also be useful to supplement the study of vessel anatomy, flow, or perfusion. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;28:538–542. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal liver metastasis by means of perfusion MRI
Authors: Abdullah Siraj Saadaldin , Pialat Jean Baptiste , Wiart Marlene , Duboeuf François , Mabrut Jean‐Yves , Bancel Brigitte , Rode Agnès , Ducerf Christian , Baulieux Jacques , Berthezene Yves 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPurposeTo characterize and compare hepatocellular carcinoma and liver metastases of colorectal metastatic cancer (CMC) by means of quantitative liver perfusion MRI.Materials and MethodsLiver perfusion was assessed in 26 HCC and CMC patients (50 nodules) by means of contrast‐enhanced MRI. Six perfusion parameters—hepatic perfusion index (HPI), mean transit time (MTT), distribution volume (DV), total blood flow (FT), arterial blood flow (FA), and portal blood flow (FP)—were calculated in tumor nodules and the adjacent hepatic parenchyma.ResultsThe values of FT, FA, FP, and DV were significantly higher in the HCC than in the CMC group, whereas MTT was significantly higher in the CMC group. There was no significant difference in HPI. Arterial blood flow was higher than portal blood flow in the CMC group, while portal blood flow was slightly higher than arterial blood flow in the HCC group.ConclusionThe present work describes the use of dynamic MRI to quantitatively assess liver perfusion, which in the future may help studying liver cancers on the basis of their microvascular characteristics. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;28:390–395. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reduction of artifacts in susceptibility‐weighted MR venography of the brain
Authors: Jin Zhaoyang , Xia Ling , Du Yiping P. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPurposeTo reduce the off‐resonance artifact in susceptibility‐weighted imaging (SWI)‐based MR venography (MRV) in the brain regions with severe field inhomogeneity and to reduce the signal loss in the minimum‐intensity projection (mIP) display of the 3D MRV.Materials and MethodsA novel postprocessing approach was presented to map the local field gradients (LFGs) using the 3D SWI data without phase‐unwrapping. LFG measurements were used to assess the severity of field inhomogeneity and suppress the residual phase in the phase mask induced by the off‐resonance effect. Volume segmentation of brain tissue was used to reduce the signal loss in the peripheral regions of the brain in the through‐plane mIP images and enable in‐plane mIP display of MRV.ResultsOff‐resonance artifact in the brain regions with severe field inhomogeneity was effectively reduced by the LFG‐based phase suppression approach. Signal loss was reduced in the through‐plane mIP of MRV using volume segmentation of brain tissue prior to projection. In‐plane mIP of MRV also became feasible with volume segmentation.ConclusionOff‐resonance artifacts and signal loss in mIP display of MRV can be effectively reduced through postprocessing. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;28:327–333. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Automatic correction of intensity inhomogeneities improves unsupervised assessment of abdominal fat by MRI
Authors: Positano Vincenzo , Cusi Kenneth , Santarelli Maria Filomena , Sironi Annamaria , Petz Roberta , DeFronzo Ralph , Landini Luigi , Gastaldelli Amalia 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPurposeTo demonstrate that unsupervised assessment of abdominal adipose tissue distribution by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be improved by integrating automatic correction of signal inhomogeneities.Materials and MethodsTwenty subjects (body mass index [BMI] 23.7–44.0 kg/m2) underwent abdominal (32 slices) MR imaging with a 1.9T Elscint Prestige scanner. Many images were affected by relevant intensity distortions. Unsupervised segmentation of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was performed by a previously validated algorithm exploiting standard fuzzy clustering segmentation. Images were also processed by an improved version of the software, including automatic correction of intensity inhomogeneities. To assess the effectiveness of the two methods SAT and VAT volumes were compared with manual analysis performed by a trained operator.ResultsCoefficient of variation between manual and unsupervised analysis was significantly improved by inhomogeneities correction in SAT evaluation. Systematic underestimation of SAT was also corrected. A less important performance improvement was found in VAT measurement.ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that the compensation of signal inhomogeneities greatly improves the effectiveness of the unsupervised assessment of abdominal fat. Correction of intensity distortions is important in SAT evaluation and less significant in VAT measurement. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;28:403–410. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.