bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How does canal taper affect root stresses?
Authors: Rundquist B. D. , Versluis A. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractAim  To examine the effect of specific tapers on root stresses and thus vertical root fracture.Methodology  The effect of taper on root stresses was calculated during simulated warm vertical compaction of gutta‐percha in a straight rooted premolar for three tapers (0.04, 0.06 and 0.12 mm mm−1) using finite element analysis. Stresses in the dentine were observed whilst the root was filled with three subsequent gutta‐percha increments. Each increment was compacted at 10 or 15 N and the gutta‐percha cooled down to 37 °C. After filling, composite was polymerized in the access space. A functional occlusal load of 50 N was then applied on the buccal cusp incline. The stress distribution in the root during the occlusal loading was compared with the stresses during filling.Results  During filling, the highest stresses were found: (a) at the canal surface; (b) using the smallest taper; (c) in the apical third; and (d) during the first gutta‐percha increment. The root stress distribution changed when the functional post‐filling load was applied. It generated the highest stresses at the external root surface, with a tensile stress concentration at the lingual surface of the cervical third. Since the stresses during simulated masticatory loading concentrated on the external surface, an increased taper size caused only slightly higher root stress levels.Conclusions  With increasing taper, root stresses decreased during root filling but tended to increase for masticatory loading. Root fracture originating at the apical third is likely initiated during filling, whilst fracture originating in the cervical portion is likely caused by occlusal loads.
The resistance of packed beds of moth gram (Vigna aconitifolius) to airflow
Authors: Nimkar Prabhakar M. , Khobragade Bhagyoday V. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryThe resistance of packed beds of clean moth gram (Vigna aconitifolius) to airflow was studied at moisture contents varying from 5.64 to 19.42% dry basis (d.b.) and at superficial air velocities ranging between 0.0104 and 0.8321 m s−1 with bed depths of 0.2–0.6 m and bulk densities ranging from 745 to 875 kg m−3. The airflow resistance of moth gram increased with increase in airflow rate and bulk density and decreased with moisture content. Results indicated that a 13.78% increase in moisture content decreased the pressure drop by 26.58% whereas, a 7.7% increase in bulk density increased the pressure drop by 43%. The modified Shedd's equation and Hukill and Ives equation were evaluated to see if they predicted pressure drop accurately. Airflow resistance was accurately described by the modified Shedd's equation. The statistical model that related airflow rate and bulk density could fit pressure drop data reasonably well. For loose fill beds an increase in grain moisture content increased the minimum fluidization velocity value from 1.1009 to 1.2391 m s−1 whereas, for grain beds with 12.47% moisture content, the increase in bulk density decreased the minimum fluidization velocity value from 1.1152 to 1.0306 m s−1.
Studies on the stability of an edible film and its use for the preservation of carrot (Daucus carota)
Authors: Jagannath Jambur H. , Nanjappa Chindalaga , Gupta Dilipkumar Das , Bawa Amarinder S. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryAn edible coating was formed by blending turmeric (Curcuma longa) and casein in equal proportions at 95 °C for 12 h. Small quantities of polyvinyl alcohol and propylene glycol were added to encourage film formation and plasticizing respectively. The blend was removed from the reaction vessel and homogenized using Tween‐80 as emulsifier. The homogenized blend was sampled at 2‐h intervals for stability by means of the ‘keeping property’ and ‘accelerated stability’ tests. Stability was also determined by differential scanning calorimetry in which a singlet endotherm indicated molecular mixing (miscibility window) of the components. All three tests indicated that the emulsion was stable after 12 h of blending. Colour, carotenoid content, texture retention and antimicrobial properties remained satisfactory for 10 days in the stable emulsion‐coated carrot whereas the control spoiled after 3 days. Thus turmeric and casein based‐emulsion coating could extend the shelf‐life of carrots by 7 days.
Effect of continuous (intermittent) use on the power output of domestic microwave ovens
Authors: Swain Mark J. , Ferron Stéphanie , Coelho Andrea Isabel Pinto , Swain M. Veronica L. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryThe power output of five recent domestic microwave ovens (on the market 2003/2004) was measured using a standard 1000 g water load during 30 min of continuous use. The power output of the ovens declined significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in the first 5 min of use, ranging from a minimum of 7.0% to a maximum of 19.7%. Further but not always significant declines (P ≤ 0.05) were measured after 20 min of continuous use. No significant reductions were measured between 20 and 30 min. Overall, the mean reduction in power output after 30 min of continuous use was 17.3% for these five ovens compared with 13.5% for five ovens in a previous study. Based on trials carried out approximately a decade apart, there has not been any improvement in the performance of domestic microwave ovens in terms of the decline in power output after continuous or prolonged use. The authors believe that many users, including consumers, caterers and those using domestic microwave ovens for research purposes, would benefit from a greater awareness and understanding of how the rapid reduction in power output in the first 5–20 min of use is likely to affect the expected heating performance.
Effectiveness of treatment programmes for depression among adults with mild/moderate intellectual disability
Authors: McCabe M. P. , McGillivray J. A. , Newton D. C. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackground  The current study describes the development and evaluation of group treatment programme for people with mild/moderate intellectual disability (ID).Methods  A total of 34 participants (16 males, 18 females) completed the treatment programme and 15 participants (six males, nine females) comprised a control group.Results  Compared to the control group, the intervention group showed an improvement in levels of depression, positive feelings about the self, and lower levels of automatic negative thoughts after the intervention. These changes were maintained at 3‐month follow‐up.Conclusions  These results demonstrate that intervention programmes are effective for the treatment of depression among people with ID.
A prospective analysis of life events, problem behaviours and depression in adults with intellectual disability
Authors: Esbensen A. J. , Benson B. A. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackground  Life events have consistently been found to be associated with behaviour problems and depression among individuals with intellectual disability (ID). However, prior findings have typically been based on correlational or retrospective analyses of case files. The current study attempted to replicate prior findings from life events with concurrent data and extend them to the prospective prediction of behaviour problems and depression. The influence of impact ratings of life events was also explored.Methods  Seventy‐four informants rated 104 adults with ID on measures of life events, behaviour problems and depressive symptoms. Life events were rated as having either a positive, negative or no impact on the life of the individual with ID. Measures were completed twice, at a 4‐month interval.Results  Behaviour problems were both correlated with and predicted by frequency counts of life events and life events perceived as negative. However, the predictive ability depended on which measure of problem behaviour was selected. Positive life events were not associated with concurrent behaviour problems. Depressive symptoms were correlated with all life changes, but only predicted by frequency counts of life events and life events perceived as negative. Again, the predictive ability depended on which measure of depression was selected. Findings were corroborated with a group of individuals with clinical diagnoses of major depression.Conclusions  Frequency counts of all life events and life events perceived as negative play a role in the development of behaviour problems and depressive symptoms among adults with ID. The results have implications for interventions for behaviour problems following a life event, and for reducing depressive symptoms for adults with mild ID.
Protein–protein interactions of tandem affinity purification‐tagged protein kinases in rice
Authors: Rohila Jai S. , Chen Mei , Chen Shuo , Chen Johann , Cerny Ronald , Dardick Chris , Canlas Patrick , Xu Xia , Gribskov Michael , Kanrar Siddhartha , Zhu Jian‐Kang , Ronald Pamela , Fromm Michael E. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryForty‐one rice cDNAs encoding protein kinases were fused to the tandem affinity purification (TAP) tag and expressed in transgenic rice plants. The TAP‐tagged kinases and interacting proteins were purified from the T1 progeny of the transgenic rice plants and identified by mass spectrometry. Ninety‐five percent of the TAP‐tagged kinases were recovered. Fifty‐six percent of the TAP‐tagged kinases were found to interact with other rice proteins. A number of these interactions were consistent with known protein complexes found in other species, validating the TAP‐tag method in rice plants. Phosphorylation sites were identified on four of the kinases that interacted with either 14‐3‐3 proteins or cyclins.
Type III effectors orchestrate a complex interplay between transcriptional networks to modify basal defence responses during pathogenesis and resistance
Authors: Truman William , de Zabala Marta Torres , Grant Murray 
Published: February 2006

SummaryTo successfully infect a plant, bacterial pathogens inject a collection of Type III effector proteins (TTEs) directly into the plant cell that function to overcome basal defences and redirect host metabolism for nutrition and growth. We examined (i) the transcriptional dynamics of basal defence responses between Arabidopsis thaliana and Pseudomonas syringae and (ii) how basal defence is subsequently modulated by virulence factors during compatible interactions. A set of 96 genes displaying an early, sustained induction during basal defence was identified. These were also universally co‐regulated following other bacterial basal resistance and non‐host responses or following elicitor challenges. Eight hundred and eighty genes were conservatively identified as being modulated by TTEs within 12 h post‐inoculation (hpi), 20% of which represented transcripts previously induced by the bacteria at 2 hpi. Significant over‐representation of co‐regulated transcripts encoding leucine rich repeat receptor proteins and protein phosphatases were, respectively, suppressed and induced 12 hpi. These data support a model in which the pathogen avoids detection through diminution of extracellular receptors and attenuation of kinase signalling pathways. Transcripts associated with several metabolic pathways, particularly plastid based primary carbon metabolism, pigment biosynthesis and aromatic amino acid metabolism, were significantly modified by the bacterial challenge at 12 hpi. Superimposed upon this basal response, virulence factors (most likely TTEs) targeted genes involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, consistent with the abrogation of lignin deposition and other wall modifications likely to restrict the passage of nutrients and water to the invading bacteria. In contrast, some pathways associated with stress tolerance are transcriptionally induced at 12 hpi by TTEs.
Activation of an alfalfa cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor by calmodulin‐like domain protein kinase
Authors: Pettkó‐Szandtner Aladár , Mészáros Tamás , Horváth Gábor V. , Bakó László , Csordás‐Tóth Éva , Blastyák András , Zhiponova Miroslava , Miskolczi Pál , Dudits Dénes 
Published: February 2006

SummaryKip‐related proteins (KRPs) play a central role in the regulation of the cell cycle and differentiation through modulation of cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) functions. We have identified a CDK inhibitor gene from Medicago truncatula (Mt) by a yeast two‐hybrid screen. The KRPMt gene was expressed in all plant organs and cultured cells, and its transcripts accumulated after abscisic acid and NaCl treatment. The KRPMt protein exhibits seven conserved sequence domains and a PEST motif that is also detected in various Arabidopsis KRPs. In the yeast two‐hybrid test, the KRPMt protein interacted with CDK (Medsa;CDKA;1) and D‐type cyclins. However, in the pull‐down assays, B‐type CDK complexes were also detectable. Recombinant KRPMt differentially inhibited various alfalfa CDK complexes in phosphorylation assays. The immunoprecipitated Medsa;CDKA;1/A;2 complex was strongly inhibited, whereas the mitotic Medsa;CDKB2;1 complex was the most sensitive to inhibition. Function of Medsa;CDKB1;1 complex was not inhibited by the KRPMt protein. The mitotic Medsa;CYCB2 and Medsa;CYCA2;1 complexes responded weakly to this inhibitor protein. Kinase complexes from G2/M cells showed increased sensitivity towards the inhibitor compared with those isolated from G1/S‐phase cells. In vitro phosphorylation of Medicago retinoblastoma‐related protein was also reduced in the presence of KRPMt. Phosphorylation of this inhibitor protein by the recombinant calmodulin‐like domain protein kinase (MsCPK3) resulted in enhanced inhibition of CDK function. The data presented emphasize the selective sensitivity of various cyclin‐dependent kinase complexes to this inhibitor protein, and suggest a role for CDK inhibitors and CPKs in cross‐talk between Ca2+ signalling and regulation of cell‐cycle progression in plants.
Light Microscopical and Ultrastructural Characterization of Black Howler Monkey (Alouatta caraya) Ovarian Follicles
Authors: Lopes L. H. R. , Lucci C. M. , Garcia M. P. , De Azevedo R. B. , Báo S. N. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryThe present study describes the morphological characteristics of black howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) ovarian follicles. One ovary of an adult healthy black howler monkey was collected and processed for light and electron microscopy. Primordial, primary, secondary, tertiary and pre‐ovulatory follicles were evaluated for their morphometrical aspects. The ovary of black howler monkey presented a distinct conformation with a uniform distribution of the follicles mostly in the peripheric cortex. This black howler monkey ovary presented a total of 59 921 ovarian follicles. From this amount, 71.1% were classified as primordial, 18.9% as primary, 8.1% as secondary, 1.4% as tertiary and 0.5% as pre‐ovulatory follicles. From all these developmental stages, the mean diameters of follicles, oocytes, oocytes nuclei and the mean number of granulosa cells are described. Moreover, primordial, primary and secondary follicles have been observed by electron microscopy.
Immunolocalization of Gastrin‐Releasing Peptide (GRP) in the Uteroplacenta of the Mouse Deer
Authors: Kimura J. , Budipitojo T. , Sasaki M. , Kitamura N. , Yamada J. , Endo H. , Fukuta K. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryThe considerable phylogenetical differences between mouse deer and other ruminants have been established by means of DNA sequence analysis and anatomical observations. To clarify the physiological role of the uteroplacenta of the mouse deer, immunohistochemical observation was attempted by using GRP, which has been suggested as a novel regulatory peptide in the female reproductive tract, as an indicator to compare with other ruminants. Strong positive reactions for the GRP were detected in the uterine glands of the pregnant animals, but not in the non‐pregnant ones. Although the placenta of the mouse deer is categorized as a diffuse placenta that is different from other ruminants’ polycotyledonary placenta, in terms of GRP immunoreactivity, the mouse deer placenta can be classified as a synepithecholial placenta like the other ruminants’. The secretion of GRP from the uterine glands is of some importance to the fetus in the mouse deer.
Lack of detrimental or therapeutic effects of cyclooxygenase inhibition in bile duct‐ligated rats with hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: Chan Cho‐Yu , Lee Fa‐Yauh , Wang Teh‐Fang , Huang Seng‐Wong , Chang Full‐Young , Lu Rei‐Hwa , Chen Yi‐Chou , Wang Sun‐Sang , Huang Hui‐Chun , Lee Shou‐Dong 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground:  The pathogenetic mechanisms of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) are not fully understood. Cerebral blood flow regulated by cyclooxygenase (COX) may be involved in the development of HE. There are no comprehensive data concerning the effects of COX inhibition on HE in chronic liver disease.Methods:  Male Sprague–Dawley rats weighing 240–270 g at the time of surgery were selected for experiments. Secondary biliary cirrhosis was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL). Those rats were then divided into two groups to receive i.p. injection of indomethacin (5 mg/kg per day) or distilled water for 7 days from day 36 to day 42 after BDL. The control group consisted of rats receiving a sham operation. Severity of encephalopathy was assessed by counts of motor activity. Plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and 6‐keto‐prostaglandin F1α (6‐keto‐PGF1α), and liver biochemistry tests were determined after treatment.Results:  The motor activity in both groups of BDL rats were significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.001). As compared with the BDL rats treated with distilled water, BDL rats treated with indomethacin had significant lower levels of 6‐keto‐PGF1α, but the motor activity, TNF‐α levels and serum biochemistry tests were not significantly different between both BDL groups.Conclusions:  Chronic indomethacin administration did not have significantly detrimental or therapeutic effects on the severity of encephalopathy in BDL rats.
Restoration in vitro of impaired T‐cell responses in patients with chronic hepatitis B by autologous dendritic cells loaded with hepatitis B virus proteins (R2)
Authors: Duan Xue‐Zhang , He Hong‐Xia , Zhuang Hui 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground:  The purpose of the present paper was to investigate dendritic cell (DC) and T‐cell functions in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and determine whether therapeutic DC vaccines could restore T‐cell function in those patients in vitro.Methods:  Twelve patients with CHB and 10 normal control subjects with positivity for antibodies to hepatitis B surface and core antigens (anti‐HBs and anti‐HBc positivity) were enrolled in the present study. Phenotype analysis and allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction assay of DC from CHB patients and normal controls were made in the absence or presence of a cocktail of cytokines: interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), IL‐6 and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). Autologous T‐cell proliferation assays and the enzyme‐linked immunospot (ELISPOT) method for detecting interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ)‐producing CD8+ T cells were used to evaluate the efficacy of DC loaded in vitro with HBsAg or HBcAg.Results:  The DC from CHB patients had a lower expression of costimulatory molecules CD80, CD86 and impaired allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction capacity compared to those from normal controls. However, the impaired DC function could be restored partially by cytokine cocktail supplemented in vitro. Mature DC loaded with HBsAg or HBcAg showed a greater capacity for autologous T‐cell proliferation and antigen‐specific IFN‐γ production than immature DC. Moreover, as a DC ‐loading antigen, HBcAg was more immunogenic than HBsAg.Conclusions:  The impaired function of DC in patients with CHB may be restored by supplementation in vitro with a cocktail of cytokines, and therapeutic DC vaccines might be effective to treat CHB infection in humans.
Clinical usefulness of subgrouping of patients with non‐cardiac chest pain according to characteristic symptoms in Korea
Authors: Kim Jeong Hwan , Rhee Poong‐Lyul , Park Eun‐Ha , Son Hee Jung , Kim Jae J , Rhee Jong Chul 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground:  Non‐cardiac chest pain (NCCP) is a heterogeneous disorder. There is controversy about the associations between symptoms and causes in NCCP patients. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of subgrouping according to characteristic symptoms in NCCP patients.Patients and Methods:  Fifty‐eight patients were classified into two groups, as patients with typical reflux symptoms (group I, n = 24) and those without typical reflux symptoms (group II, n = 34). They underwent upper endoscopy, manometry, and 24‐h esophageal pH monitoring.Results:  Twenty‐four (41%) of the patients were diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) at upper endoscopy or 24‐h esophageal pH monitoring. Eleven (19%) were diagnosed with GERD‐associated esophageal motility disorder and 13 (22%) were diagnosed with non‐GERD‐associated esophageal motility disorder. The two groups did not differ significantly in age, sex, weight, smoking history, history of chronic alcoholism, or the severity, duration and frequency of symptoms. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and likelihood ratio of group I for GERD‐related NCCP were significantly higher than those of group II. Group I had a higher proportion of patients with GERD‐associated esophageal motility disorder (55%) than non‐GERD‐associated esophageal motility disorder (23%).Conclusion:  Typical reflux symptoms can be used to distinguish patients with GERD‐related NCCP from patients with NCCP, and subgrouping according to characteristic symptoms may assist the diagnosis of these patients in Korea.
Crack initiation in the brittle fracture of ferritic steels
Authors: COATES M. , KUMAR A. , ROBERTS S. G. 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTFracture in many steels is thought to initiate from fractured carbides. It is often supposed that in pre‐cracked specimens, many carbides fracture in the plastic zone of the pre‐crack, and that eventually fracture propagates from one of these to cause fracture of the whole specimen. Sources of fracture initiation in steels were investigated using a modified A533B steel as a model material. Specimens were annealed to produce a distribution of micron‐sized carbides in a ferrite matrix. Four‐point bend tests were carried out in the temperature range 77–373K to determine the material's ductile brittle transition. Pre‐cracked samples were loaded up to 90% of the fracture strength at temperatures on the lower shelf (163K) and at the mid point of the transition region (243K). The samples were then sectioned and polished to produce SEM and TEM samples containing the crack tip. Other samples were made of areas some distance from the crack tip and out of the plastic zone. An extensive search for fracture initiation sites found no evidence for fracture initiation originating from fractured carbides.
A weight function‐critical plane approach for low‐cycle fatigue under variable amplitude multiaxial loading
Authors: CHEN X. , JIN D. , KIM K. S. 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTLow‐cycle fatigue data of type 304 stainless steel obtained under axial‐torsional loading of variable amplitudes are analyzed using four multiaxial fatigue parameters: SWT, KBM, FS and LKN. Rainflow cycle counting and Morrow's plastic work interaction rule are used to calculate fatigue damage. The performance of a fatigue model is dependent on the fatigue parameter, the critical plane and the damage accumulation rule employed in the model. The conservatism and non‐conservatism of predicted lives are examined for some combinations of these variables. A new critical plane called the weight function‐critical plane is introduced for variable amplitude loading. This approach is found to improve the KBM‐based life predictions.