bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Strain on the Modulus of Sealants Exposed to the Outdoors
Authors: White Christopher C. , Hunston Donald , Tan Kar Tean 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
The effects of applied strain on sealants exposed to outdoor weathering were examined for two sealant formulations, Sealants A and C. Both static and dynamic strain was applied to the sealants during the summer in a Gaithersburg, MD outdoor location. Both sealants exhibited a reversible change in equilibrium distance. Stress relaxation studies on all samples revealed that, for Sealant A, two mechanisms affected modulus change; exposure without applied strain increased the modulus while additionally applied strain decreased the modulus. Only one mechanism that decreased the modulus was found for Sealant C. A 7 % dynamic strain and a 25 % static strain were observed to produce equivalent modulus changes in both systems.
v-K Curves from Lifetime Tests with Reloaded Survivals
Authors: Fett T. , Riva M. , Hoffmann M. J. , Oberacker R. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Lifetime tests under static load are often carried out in order to determine the relation v(K) of subcritical crack growth. Depending on the scatter behavior of the most serious cracks in a specimen, a number of specimens will not fracture within a certain maximum lifetime limit. In order to get additional information on subcritical crack growth behavior, the authors recommend performing lifetime tests at an increased load level. An appropriate procedure for the evaluation of such tests is proposed and applied to static lifetime measurements on SiAlON in distilled water.
Effects of Binders on Resilient Modulus of Rubberized Mixtures Containing RAP Using Artificial Neural Network Approach
Authors: Xiao Feipeng , Amirkhanian Serji N. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
The prediction of the resilient modulus values of rubberized mixtures containing reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) materials involves a number of interacting factors or engineering parameters (variables) and is a very complex issue. Artificial neural networks (ANN) are useful tools in place of conventional physical models for analyzing complex relationships involving multiple variables and have been successfully used in many civil engineering applications. The objective of this study was to develop a series of ANN models to simulate the resilient modulus of rubberized mixtures (ambient and cryogenic rubbers) at 5, 25, and 40°C using seven input variables including material components such as rubber and RAP percentages as well as the rheological properties of modified binders (i.e., viscosity, G*sin δ, stiffness, and m-values). The sensitivity analysis and important index of each variable were performed in this study. The results indicated that ANN-based models are more effective than the regression models and can easily be implemented in a spreadsheet, thus making it easy to apply. In addition, the validation analysis of the models showed that ANN-based models might be used for other types of mixtures. Moreover, the results of the sensitivity analysis and important index of input variables in ANN models also indicated that the rheological properties of asphalt binders can be employed to predict the resilient modulus values effectively at various testing temperatures. The validation of the model also illustrates that the developed ANN can be used to predict the resilient modulus values from other research projects.
Cassiodorus anti-Boethius?
Authors: Vitiello Massimiliano 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
The affair of Severinus Boethius, as described by him in the apologia at the beginning of the Consolatio Philosophiae, evidently finds echoes in Cassiodorus′ self-representation as politician and counselor of Theoderic, especially as depicted at Var. 9.24. Particularly important in that document, vis-à-vis the representation of Theoderic as a philosopher-king, is Cassiodorus′ account of his experience at court as Master of the Offices. The images formed of both figures, going back to the difficult years immediately following Boethius′ condemnation, run counter to the complaint lodged in the Consolatio, especially in its «apologia». With the comparison of the evidence, moreover, is linked the complex and much discussed question concerning Cassiodorus′ position in relation to Boethius′ vicissitudes and events of the years immediately after his death, and to a certain extent the question of the relationship between these two celebrated personalities of Gothic Italy.
Intrauterine growth restriction and adult disease: the role of adipocytokines
Authors: Briana Despina D , Malamitsi-Puchner Ariadne 
Published: December 2008

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is the failure of the fetus to achieve his/her intrinsic growth potential, due to anatomical and/or functional disorders and diseases in the feto–placental–maternal unit. IUGR results in significant perinatal and long-term complications, including the development of insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome in adulthood.The thrifty phenotype hypothesis holds that intrauterine malnutrition leads to an adaptive response that alters the fetal metabolic and hormonal milieu designed for intrauterine survival. This fetal programming predisposes to an increased susceptibility for chronic diseases. Although the mechanisms controlling intrauterine growth are poorly understood, adipose tissue may play an important role in linking poor fetal growth to the subsequent development of adult diseases. Adipose tissue secretes a number of hormones, called adipocytokines, important in modulating metabolism and recently involved in intrauterine growth.This review aims to summarize reported findings concerning the role of adipocytokines (leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-6 (IL6), visfatin, resistin, apelin) in early life, while attempting to speculate mechanisms through which differential regulation of adipocytokines in IUGR may influence the risk for development of chronic diseases in later life.
Relationship of adiposity with arterial stiffness as mediated by adiponectin in older men and women: the Hoorn Study
Authors: Snijder M B , Flyvbjerg A , Stehouwer C D A , Frystyk J , Henry R M A , Seidell J C , Heine R J , Dekker J M 
Published: December 2008

ObjectiveTo investigate whether adiponectin is associated with arterial stiffness, and whether adiponectin explains the association between body composition and arterial stiffness.DesignCross-sectional cohort study.MethodsSubjects were participants (n=456, mean age 68.9±6.1 years; age range 60–86 years) of the third follow-up examination of the Hoorn Study. Trunk fat, leg fat, trunk lean, and leg lean mass were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Ultrasound was used to measure distensibility and compliance of the carotid, femoral, and brachial arteries, and carotid Young's elastic modulus (as estimates of peripheral arterial stiffness).ResultsTrunk fat mass was negatively associated with (ln-transformed) adiponectin (standardizedβ=−0.49,P<0.001), while leg fat mass was positively associated with adiponectin (β=0.44,P<0.001), after adjustment for each other, age, and lean mass. After adjustment for age, sex, mean arterial pressure, and estimated glomerular filtration rate, higher adiponectin was associated with decreased peripheral arterial stiffness (βof meanZ-scores of all three arteries=0.14,P=0.001). However, the associations of trunk fat (β=−0.26,P<0.001) and leg fat (β=0.16,P=0.006) with peripheral arterial stiffness were only minimally explained by adiponectin levels.ConclusionTrunk fat and leg fat are oppositely associated with adiponectin. Although low adiponectin was a determinant of increased peripheral arterial stiffness, it only explained a small part of the association between body fat and peripheral arterial stiffness. This indicated that factors other than adiponectin may be more important in the pathophysiological mechanisms by which abdominal obesity leads to arterial stiffness.
Incidence and prevalence of nutritional and hereditary rickets in southern Denmark
Authors: Beck-Nielsen Signe Sparre , Brock-Jacobsen Bendt , Gram Jeppe , Brixen Kim , Jensen Tina Kold 
Published: December 2008

ObjectiveTo estimate the incidence of nutritional rickets and the incidence and prevalence of hereditary rickets.DesignPopulation-based retrospective cohort study based on a review of medical records.MethodsPatients aged 0–14.9 years referred to or discharged from hospitals in southern Denmark from 1985 to 2005 with a diagnosis of rickets were identified by register search, and their medical records were retrieved. Patients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of primary rickets were included.ResultsWe identified 112 patients with nutritional rickets of whom 74% were immigrants. From 1995 to 2005, the average incidence of nutritional rickets in children aged 0–14.9 and 0–2.9 years was 2.9 and 5.8 per 100 000 per year respectively. Among immigrant children born in Denmark, the average incidence was 60 (0–14.9 years) per 100 000 per year. Ethnic Danish children were only diagnosed in early childhood and the average incidence in the age group 0–2.9 years declined from 5.0 to 2.0 per 100 000 per year during 1985–1994 to 1995–2005. Sixteen cases of hereditary rickets were diagnosed during the study period giving an average incidence of 4.3 per 100 000 (0–0.9 years) per year. The prevalence of hypophosphatemic rickets and vitamin D-dependent rickets type 1 was 4.8 and 0.4 per 100 000 (0–14.9 years) respectively.ConclusionsNutritional rickets is rare in southern Denmark and largely restricted to immigrants, but the incidence among ethnic Danish children was unexpectedly high. Hereditary rickets is the most common cause of rickets in ethnic Danish children, but nutritional rickets is most frequent among all young children.
Use of Benthic Prey by Salmonids under Turbid Conditions in a Laboratory Stream
Authors: Harvey Bret C. , White Jason L. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe negative effect of turbidity on the reactive distance of salmonids has been well established. However, determining the consequences of this relationship for overall feeding success remains problematic, as successful foraging by salmonids across a broad range in turbidity has been observed under a variety of conditions. Previous laboratory and field observations suggest that benthic feeding by salmonids in flowing water affects the turbidity dependence of foraging success. Two experiments were conducted in a laboratory stream to quantify benthic feeding success of salmonids across turbidity treatments ranging from 0 to 400 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU). In one experiment, cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii and coho salmon O. kisutch were offered the same nonliving prey in the drift and on the stream bottom; in the second experiment, cutthroat trout were offered only live oligochaetes moving along the stream bottom. In the first experiment, benthic feeding success of both cutthroat trout and coho salmon at 100 NTU was at least 70% of their feeding performance in clear water (i.e., 0 NTU), whereas neither species fed at 400 NTU. In the second experiment, benthic feeding success of cutthroat trout at 150 NTU was about 35% of their performance in clear water but dropped to near 0% at 200 NTU; no feeding was observed at 400 NTU. Passive integrated transponder tag detections suggested that cutthroat trout activity increased over the range of 0‐150 NTU. Although drift and benthic foraging success decreased over the examined turbidity range, the results suggest that both cutthroat trout and coho salmon are capable of feeding from the benthos in relatively turbid, flowing water. The importance of this ability for salmonid populations will be influenced by the turbidity regime, food availability patterns, and hydraulic complexity of the systems they occupy.
Activation of Hedgehog Signaling Inhibits Osteoblast Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Plaisant Magali , Fontaine Coralie , Cousin Wendy , Rochet Nathalie , Dani Christian , Peraldi Pascal 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells within the bone are responsible for the generation of osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes. In rodents, Indian hedgehog has been shown to play a role in osteoblast differentiation. However, evidence for a direct function of hedgehog (Hh) in human osteoblastic differentiation is missing. Using different models of human mesenchymal stem cells we show that Hh signaling decreases during osteoblast differentiation. This is associated with a decrease in Smoothened expression, a key partner that triggers Hh signaling, and in the number of cells displaying a primary cilium, an organelle necessary for Hh signaling. Remarkably, treatment of human mesenchymal stem cells with sonic hedgehog or two molecules able to activate Hh signaling inhibits osteoblast differentiation. This inhibition is visualized through a decrease in mineralization and in the expression of osteoblastic genes. In particular, activation of Hh signaling induces a decrease in Runx2 expression, a key transcriptional factor controlling the early stage of osteoblast differentiation. Consistently, the activation of Hh signaling during the first days of differentiation is sufficient to inhibit osteoblast differentiation, whereas differentiated osteoblasts are not affected by Hh signaling. In summary, we show here, using various inducers of Hh signaling and mesenchymal stem cells of two different origins, that Hh signaling inhibits human osteoblast differentiation, in sharp contrast to what has been described in rodent cells. This species difference should be taken into account for screening for pro-osteogenic molecules.
Binding interaction between polycyclic aromatic compounds and DNA by fluorescence displacement method
Authors: Wei Yin , Guo Liang-Hong 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Noncovalent interaction of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) with DNA is the first step in their DNA-damaging actions. The binding interaction of 15 PACs with DNA was investigated by the fluorescence displacement method. A DNA-binding dye with known binding mode was employed as the fluorescence probe. Addition of a DNA-binding PAC into the dye/DNA conjugate sets up a competition between the probe and the PAC for DNA and results in a reduction in fluorescence signal. When thiazole orange, a DNA intercalator, was employed as the probe, the dissociation constants of 1-hydroxypyrene, 1-aminopyrene, and 1-pyrenebutyric acid with calf thymus DNA were determined to be 0.62, 1.1, and 4.7 μM, respectively. Other PACs, with two to five fused aromatic rings, showed displacement similar to that of 1-pyrenebutyric acid. When the DNA groove-binding agents Hoechst 33258 and 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole were used as the probe, none of the PACs exhibited any significant competition with the probe for DNA. The fluorescence data and the viscosity measurement revealed that these PACs interact with DNA predominantly by intercalation instead of the groove-binding mode. The results also suggested that the polar groups on the periphery of the PACs aromatic ring play a more important role than the number of aromatic rings in determining the binding affinities with DNA. The fluorescence displacement method provides a convenient tool for rapidly investigating the relationship between PAC structure and its DNA-binding properties.
Toxic effects of oral hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine in the western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis)
Authors: McFarland Craig A. , Quinn Michael J. , Bazar Matthew A. , Talent Larry G. , Johnson Mark S. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractHexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) has been widely used as an explosive in munition formulations, resulting in contamination of wildlife habitat on military installations. To estimate health effects for reptilian species, acute, subacute, and subchronic oral toxicity studies were conducted using the Western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis). Estimated oral median lethal doses were 72 (95% confidence interval [CI], 49–106) mg/kg body weight (slope, 3.754) for males and 88 (95% CI, 65–119) mg/kg (slope, 4.525) for females. Toxicity from RDX suggested the neurological system as the critical target tissue. A 14-d subacute study followed with males dosed orally with RDX (corn oil) at 0, 10, 20, 25, 30, 45, and 60 mg/kg/d. Signs of toxicity frequently included a characteristic body posture. A significant dose-survival relationship was seen over the range of doses, with a significant decrease in survival at 20 mg/kg/d. Males in the 60-d subchronic study were dosed at 0, 1, 2.5, 5, 8, and 11 mg/ kg/d, and signs of toxicity included lethargy, cachexia, and anorexia. Survival was decreased at 8 and 11 mg/kg/d. Reduced growth rate and food consumption occurred at 5 mg/kg/d. Brain tissue was assayed for RDX when seizures were observed at a residue concentration of at least 18 μg/g. No abnormalities were observed in the hematologic indices, whereas plasma proteins were reduced. Hepatic enlargement and decreased testes mass occurred at 8 and 11 mg/kg/d. Plasma testosterone concentrations, sperm counts, and motility measures were variable for all treatment levels. Based on survival, growth rate, food intake, and testes to brain weight ratios, these data suggest a lowest-observed-adverse effect level of 5 mg/kg/d and a no-observed-adverse effect level of 2.5 mg/ kg/d.
β- and α-Cell Dysfunction in Subjects Developing Impaired Glucose Tolerance
Authors: Ahrén B. 
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE— This study assessed insulin and glucagon secretion in relation to insulin sensitivity in Caucasian women who develop impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) versus those who maintain normal glucose tolerance (NGT) over a 12-year period.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— At baseline and after 3, 8, and 12 years, glucose tolerance (75-g oral glucose tolerance test), insulin sensitivity (euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp), and insulin and glucagon secretion (2- to 5-min responses to 5 g arginine i.v. at fasting, 14 and &gt;25 mmol/l glucose) were determined in 53 healthy Caucasian women (aged 58 years at baseline) who all had NGT at baseline.
RESULTS— During the 12-year period, 26 subjects developed IGT, whereas the remaining 27 subjects maintained NGT throughout the 12-year period. Subjects developing IGT had lower insulin sensitivity than those maintaining NGT in the tests preceding diagnosis of IGT (P ≤ 0.05). When judged in relation to insulin sensitivity, β-cell glucose sensitivity and maximal insulin secretion were lower in those who later developed IGT than in those maintaining NGT at all tests (P ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, subjects who developed IGT had defective suppression of glucagon secretion by glucose in the test preceding diagnosis of IGT when they still had NGT (P ≤ 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS— β- and α-cell dysfunction are evident several years before diagnosis of IGT, and islet dysfunction is manifested as impaired glucose sensitivity of the β- and α-cells and reduced maximal insulin secretion.
FunctionalENTPD1Polymorphisms in African Americans With Diabetes and End-Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Friedman David J. , Talbert Matthew E. , Bowden Donald W. , Freedman Barry I. , Mukanya Yves , Enjyoji Keiichi , Robson Simon C. 
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVEThe vascular ectonucleotidase ENTPD1 protects against renal injury and modulates glucose homeostasis in mouse models. We sought to determine whether human variation in ENTPD1 influences predisposition to diabetes or diabetic nephropathy.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe analyzed ENTPD1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 363 African American control subjects, 380 subjects with type 2 diabetes and end-stage renal disease (DM-ESRD), and 326 subjects with ESRD unrelated to diabetes (non–DM-ESRD). Using human cell lines, we correlated disease-associated ENTPD1 haplotypes with ENTPD1 gene expression. Finally, we studied consequences of ENTPD1 deletion in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes (db/db).RESULTSA common ENTPD1 two-SNP haplotype was associated with increased risk for DM-ESRD (P = 0.0027), and an uncommon four-SNP haplotype was associated with protection against DM-ESRD (P = 0.004). These haplotypes correlated with ENTPD1 gene expression levels in human cell lines in vitro. Subjects with high ENTPD1-expressing haplotypes were enriched in the DM-ESRD group. By crossing ENTPD1-null mice with db mice, we show that ENTPD1 deletion has prominent effects on metabolic syndrome traits. Specifically, deletion of ENTPD1 lowered glucose levels in control (db/−) mice with one functional leptin receptor and dramatically lowered weights in db/db mice with no functional leptin receptors. Similar effects were seen in aged ENTPD1-null mice with normal leptin receptors.CONCLUSIONSENTPD1 polymorphisms appear to influence susceptibility to type 2 diabetes and/or diabetic nephropathy in African Americans. Studies in human cell lines and in vivo mouse data support a potential role for ENTPD1 genetic variation in susceptibility to type 2 diabetes.
Mechanism of interaction of hypoglycemic agents glimepiride and glipizide with human serum albumin
Authors: Seedher Neelam , Kanojia Mamta 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe mechanism of interaction of hypoglycemic drugs, glimepiride and glipizide with human serum albumin (HSA) has been studied using fluorescence spectroscopy. The results are discussed in terms of the binding parameters, thermodynamics of the binding process, nature of forces involved in the interaction, identification of drug binding site on serum albumin and the fluorescence quenching mechanism involved. The association constants were of the order of 105 and glipizide was found to have much higher affinity for HSA than glimepiride at all temperatures. Thermodynamic parameters for the binding suggested that hydrophobic interactions are primarily involved in the binding of these drugs to HSA. However, glimepiride and glipizide appear to cause temperature-dependent conformational changes in the albumin molecule and, therefore, the nature of interaction varied with temperature. Glimepiride and glipizide bind to both site I and site II on HSA, but the primary interaction occurs at site II. The binding region in site II is different for the two drugs. Stern-Volmer analysis of quenching data indicated that tryptophan residues of HSA are not fully accessible to the drugs and a predominantly dynamic quenching mechanism is involved in the binding. Results can provide useful insight into prediction of competitive displacement of these drugs by other co-administered drugs and excipients, resulting in serious fluctuations of the blood glucose levels in diabetic patients.