bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Back-calculating vibro-installation stresses in stone-column-reinforced soils
Authors: Elshazly H. , Hafez D. , Mossaad M. 
Published: March 2006

An investigation was carried out to study the effect of the vibro-installation of stone columns on the soil state of stress. Post-installation soil parameters and load-settlement records were utilised to back-calculate the ratio of horizontal to vertical soil stress, K*. The load-settlement records were taken from a full-scale field load test, carried out on a single column within an extended group of stone columns. A coupled non-linear finite element formulation was utilised to simulate the test steps and the relevant settlement rate criterion. Post-installation soil parameters were adopted in the simulation in order to account for any vibration- and/or displacement-induced changes in the soil properties. The investigation revealed that the vibro-installation of stone columns significantly alters the soil state of stress. A practical range for the post-installation lateral earth pressure ratio, K*, in the analysed case was deduced. Nous avons étudié les effets de la vibro-installation de colonnes de pierres sur l'état de contrainte du sol. Des paramètres de sol après installation et des données chargetassement ont é té utilisés pour rétro calculer le rapport entre la contrainte de sol horizontale et la contrainte de sol verticale, K*. Les données charge-tassement viennent d'un essai grandeur nature sur le terrain, chargement effectué sur une seule colonne dans un groupe étendu de colonnes de pierre. Nous avons utilisé une formulation couplée d'élément fini non linéaire pour simuler les é tapes du test et le critère de taux de tassement correspondant. Les paramètres de sol après installation ont é té adoptés dans la simulation afin de prendre en compte tout changement dans les propriétés du sol provoqué par la vibration et/ou le déplacement. L'étude a ré vélé que la vibro-installation de colonnes de pierre changeait de manière significative l'état de contrainte du sol. Nous en avons déduit une fourchette pratique pour le taux de pression terrestre latérale après installation, K*, dans le cas analysé
Spinline tension control in melt spinning by discrete adaptive sliding‐mode controllers
Authors: Huang Chang‐Chiun , Tang Tsann‐Tay 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe spinline tension plays a critical role in the development of fiber structures and the quality of as‐spun yarns in melt spinning. Implementing a controller to adjust the spinline velocity is helpful to maintain the spinline tension at a target level with small fluctuation, enabling as‐spun yarns to possess the desired tenacity and uniform qualities. The spinline tension system is difficult to model and the stochastic disturbance always exists. The discrete adaptive sliding‐mode controller can robustly and adaptively deal with the system with the unknown model and stochastic disturbance, such as the spinline tension system. The algorithm estimates the parameters of the controller in the sense of minimizing the deviation from the sliding surface, thus reducing the variation of the tension response about the desired level. The sliding surface is defined by an asymptotically stable polynomial, and seven stable polynomials are chosen in experiments. The experiments are carried out by using a laboratory type of the melt spinning setup to produce polypropylene as‐spun yarns. Compared with the results without control, the proposed controller can not only maintain the mean of the tension response close to the target level but also reduce the standard deviation to the value, which is generally acceptable to the manufacturer. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3816–3821, 2006
Written versus spoken queries: A qualitative and quantitative comparative analysis
Authors: Crestani Fabio , Du Heather 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe authors report on an experimental study on the differences between spoken and written queries. A set of written and spontaneous spoken queries are generated by users from written topics. These two sets of queries are compared in qualitative terms and in terms of their retrieval effectiveness. Written and spoken queries are compared in terms of length, duration, and part of speech. In addition, assuming perfect transcription of the spoken queries, written and spoken queries are compared in terms of their aptitude to describe relevant documents. The retrieval effectiveness of spoken and written queries is compared using three different information retrieval models. The results show that using speech to formulate one's information need provides a way to express it more naturally and encourages the formulation of longer queries. Despite that, longer spoken queries do not seem to significantly improve retrieval effectiveness compared with written queries.
The photochemistry of the light‐, oxygen‐, and voltage‐sensitive domains in the algal blue light receptor phot
Authors: Kottke Tilman , Hegemann Peter , Dick Bernhard , Heberle Joachim 
Published: March 2006

AbstractPhot proteins are blue light photoreceptors in plants and algae that mainly regulate photomovement responses. They contain two light‐, oxygen‐, and voltage‐sensitive (LOV) domains and a serine/threonine kinase domain. Both LOV domains noncovalently bind a flavin mononucleotide (FMN) as chromophore. Upon blue light illumination, the LOV domains undergo a photocycle, transiently forming a covalent adduct of the FMN moiety with a nearby cysteine residue. The presence of two light‐sensitive domains in the photoreceptor raises the question about the differences in properties and function between LOV1 and LOV2. As a model system, the photocycles of the LOV1 and LOV2 domains from phot of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii have been studied in detail, both separately and in a tandem construct. Here we give an overview about the results on the individual behavior of the domains and their interaction. Furthermore, the current status in the understanding of the role of LOV1 in phot in general is presented. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 82: 373–378, 2006This 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
Randomized clinical trial of robot-assisted versus laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication
Authors: Morino M , Pellegrino L , Giaccone C , Garrone C , Rebecchi F 
Published: March 2006

Abstract

Background
Several studies have shown the safety and feasibility of robot-assisted antireflux surgery but comparative data are lacking.

Methods
Fifty consecutive patients scheduled for laparoscopic antireflux surgery were randomized into two groups. Twenty-five patients underwent robot-assisted surgery and 25 standard laparoscopic fundoplication. All robot-assisted procedures were performed with the da Vinci Surgical System®.

Results
There were no significant differences in age, sex, body mass or preoperative reflux pattern between the groups. Operating times were significantly longer for robot-assisted than standard laparoscopic operations (mean total operating time 131·3 versus 91·1 min, P &lt; 0·001; skin-to-skin time 78·0 versus 63·5 min, P = 0·001). There was no conversion to open surgery. Conversion to standard laparoscopy was necessary in one of 25 robot-assisted procedures. The length of hospital stay was similar in both groups. Robot-assisted surgery was associated with significantly higher mean total costs (€3157 versus €1527; P &lt; 0·001). There were no significant differences in clinical, endoscopic and functional outcomes between groups. There was no procedure-related mortality.

Conclusion
Robot-assisted laparoscopic fundoplication is comparable to the standard laparoscopic procedure in terms of feasibility and outcome, but costs are higher owing to longer operating times and the use of more expensive instruments.
Polysaccharide Microarrays for Polysaccharide–Platelet‐Derived‐Growth‐Factor Interaction Studies
Authors: Carion Olivier , Lefebvre Julien , Dubreucq Guy , Dahri‐Correia Latifa , Correia José , Melnyk Oleg 
Published: March 2006

AbstractPolysaccharide microarrays have great potential for the high‐throughput analysis of polysaccharide–protein interactions. Here we demonstrate that a polysaccharide microarray prepared by printing a library of dextran polymers derivatized by methylcarboxylate, benzylamide, and sulfate groups (DMCBSu compounds) on to glass slides permitted the rapid identification of a set of compounds able to interact with the platelet‐derived growth factor BB (PDGF‐BB) isoform, a growth factor involved in wound healing. Microarray interaction results were compared to the capacity of DMCBSu compounds to potentiate the in vitro PDGF‐BB‐induced proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts.
Self‐Assembly with Block Copolymers through Metal Coordination of SCS–PdII Pincer Complexes and Pseudorotaxane Formation
Authors: South Clinton R. , Higley Mary Nell , Leung Ken C.‐F. , Lanari Daniela , Nelson Alshakim , Grubbs Robert H. , Stoddart J. Fraser , Weck Marcus 
Published: March 2006

AbstractPoly(norbornene)‐based block copolymers containing side chains of palladated pincer complexes/dibenzo[24]crown‐8 or palladated pincer complexes/dibenzylammonium salts were synthesized. Noncovalent functionalization was accomplished with their corresponding recognition units through simple 1:1 addition with association constants (Ka) greater than 105 m−1. The self‐assembly processes were monitored by using both 1H NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry. In all cases, we found that the self‐assembly of the recognition units along each polymer block does not preclude the self‐assembly processes along the other block.
Solubilization of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes by using Polycyclic Aromatic Ammonium Amphiphiles in Water—Strategy for the Design of High‐Performance Solubilizers
Authors: Tomonari Yasuhiko , Murakami Hiroto , Nakashima Naotoshi 
Published: March 2006

AbstractWe describe the design of polycyclic aromatic compounds with high performance that dissolve single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Synthetic amphiphiles trimethyl‐(2‐oxo‐2‐phenylethyl)‐ammonium bromide (1) and trimethyl‐(2‐naphthalen‐2‐yl‐2‐oxo‐ethyl)‐ammonium bromide (2) carrying a phenyl or a naphtyl moiety were not able to dissolve/disperse SWNTs in water. By contrast, trimethyl‐(2‐oxo‐2‐phenanthren‐9‐yl‐ethyl)‐ammonium bromide (3) solubilized SWNTs, although the solubilization ability was lower than that of trimethyl‐(2‐oxo‐2‐pyrene‐1‐yl‐ethyl)‐ammonium bromide (4) (solubilization behavior observed by using 4 was described briefly in reference 4a). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), as well as visible/near‐IR, fluorescence, and near‐IR photoluminescence spectroscopies were employed to reveal the solubilization properties of 4 in water, and to compare these results with those obtained by using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HTAB) as solubilizers. Compound 4 solubilized both the as‐produced SWNTs (raw‐SWNTs) and purified SWNTs under mild experimental conditions, and the solubilization ability was better than that of SDS and HTAB. Near‐IR photoluminescence measurements revealed that the chiral indices of the SWNTs dissolved in an aqueous solution of 4 were quite different from those obtained by using micelles of SDS and HTAB; for a SWNTs/4 solution, the intensity of the (7,6), (9,5), and (12,1) indices were strong and the chirality distribution was narrower than those of the micellar solutions. This indicates that the aqueous solution of 4 has a tendency to dissolve semiconducting SWNTs with diameters in the range of 0.89–1.0 nm, which are larger than those SWNTs (0.76–0.97 nm) dissolved in the aqueous micelles of SDS and HTAB.
Photoresponsive Self‐Assembly and Self‐Organization of Hydrogen‐Bonded Supramolecular Tapes
Authors: Yagai Shiki , Iwashima Tomoyuki , Kishikawa Keiki , Nakahara Shoichiro , Karatsu Takashi , Kitamura Akihide 
Published: March 2006

AbstractSelf‐assembling building blocks that are readily functionalizable and capable of achieving programmed hierarchical organization have enabled us to create various functional nanomaterials. We have previously demonstrated that N,N′‐disubstituted 4,6‐diaminopyrimidin‐2(1 H)‐one (DAP), a guanine–cytosine hybridized molecule, is a versatile building block for the creation of tapelike supramolecular polymer species in solution. In the current study, DAP was functionalized with azobenzene side chains. 1H NMR, UV/Vis, and dynamic light scattering studies confirmed the presence of nanometer‐scale tapelike supramolecular polymers in alkane solvents at micromolar regimes. At higher concentrations (millimolar regimes), the supramolecular polymers hierarchically organized into lamellar superstructures to form organogels, as shown by X‐ray diffraction and polarized optical microscopy. Remarkably, the azobenzene side chains are photoisomerizable even in the supramolecular polymers, owing to their loosely packed state supported by the rigid hydrogen‐bonded scaffold, enabling us to establish photocontrollable supramolecular polymerization and higher order organization of the tapelike supramolecular polymers into lamellar superstructures.
Structural Characterisation of the Core Oligosaccharides Isolated from the Lipooligosaccharide Fraction of Agrobacterium tumefaciens A1
Authors: De Castro Cristina , Carannante Anna , Lanzetta Rosa , Lindner Buko , Nunziata Rosa , Parrilli Michelangelo , Holst Otto 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThree different oligosaccharide structures from the lipooligosaccharide fraction of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain A1 were determined by means of chemical and spectrometrical methods. The peculiar feature of this oligosaccharide family consisted of its unusual length, that was very close to the that minimal requested for the external membrane functionality as exemplified from oligosaccharide 3, where the inner core is glycosylated from only one sugar moiety onwards.
For most large underdetermined systems of equations, the minimal 𝓁1‐norm near‐solution approximates the sparsest near‐solution
Authors: Donoho David L. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractWe consider inexact linear equationsy≈ Φxwhereyis a given vector in ℝn, Φ is a givenn×mmatrix, and we wish to findx0,ϵas sparse as possible while obeying ‖y− Φx0,ϵ‖2≤ ϵ. In general, this requires combinatorial optimization and so is considered intractable. On the other hand, the 𝓁1‐minimization problemis convex and is considered tractable. We show that for most Φ, if the optimally sparse approximationx0,ϵis sufficiently sparse, then the solutionx1,ϵof the 𝓁1‐minimization problem is a good approximation tox0,ϵ.We suppose that the columns of Φ are normalized to the unit 𝓁2‐norm, and we place uniform measure on such Φ. We study theunderdeterminedcase wherem∼ τnand τ > 1, and prove the existence of ρ = ρ(τ) > 0 andC=C(ρ, τ) so that for largenand for all Φ's except a negligible fraction, the followingapproximate sparse solutionproperty of Φ holds:for every y having an approximation‖y− Φx0‖2≤ ϵby a coefficient vector x0∈ ℝmwith fewer than ρ · n nonzeros,This has two implications. First, for most Φ, whenever the combinatorial optimization resultx0,ϵwould be very sparse,x1,ϵis a good approximation tox0,ϵ. Second, suppose we are given noisy data obeyingy= Φx0+zwhere the unknownx0is known to be sparse and the noise ‖z‖2≤ ϵ. For most Φ, noise‐tolerant 𝓁1‐minimization will stably recoverx0fromyin the presence of noisez.We also study the barely determined casem=nand reach parallel conclusions by slightly different arguments.Proof techniques include the use of almost‐spherical sections in Banach space theory and concentration of measure for eigenvalues of random matrices. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Self‐presentation of beryllium by BAL CD4+ T cells: T cell–T cell interactions and their potential role in chronic beryllium disease
Authors: Fontenot Andrew P. , Edwards David M. , Chou Yuan K. , Mack Douglas G. , LaTocha Dorian , Vandenbark Arthur A. , Burrows Gregory G. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractChronic beryllium disease (CBD) is characterized pathologically by granulomatous inflammation in the lung, composed of a large core of epithelioid cells surrounded by a dense shell of CD4+ T cells. Using beryllium‐specific CD4+ T cell lines derived from the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of CBD patients, we show that purified CD4+ T cells produced significant amounts of IFN‐γ and TNF‐α upon exposure to beryllium in the absence of antigen‐presenting cells (APC). However, unlike BAL T cells stimulated by beryllium in the presence of APC, self‐presentation by BAL T cells did not induce detectable IL‐2 production, and in its absence these activated T cells die from programmed cell death. Resting BAL CD4+ T cells constitutively express high levels of HLA‐DP, lymphocyte function‐associated antigen 1 (LFA‐1) and ICAM‐3. When stimulated with beryllium/APC, the adhesion molecule ICAM‐1 was up‐regulated, as well as several costimulation molecules including CD28, OX‐40 (CD134), 4‐1‐BB (CD137) and B7‐1 (CD80). Notably, CD28 was not up‐regulated during self‐presentation by BAL T cells, and these cells do not express OX‐40L, suggesting that lack of appropriate costimulation was responsible for programmed cell death observed upon beryllium self‐presentation. Restricting anti‐MHC class II mAb completely eliminated beryllium‐induced T cell proliferation during self‐presentation and significantly reduced IFN‐γ and TNF‐α production. Our data demonstrate for the first time that self‐presentation by BAL T cells in response to beryllium can occur ex vivo, in the absence of professional APC, with a specific dependence on T cell‐expressed MHC class II molecules and exogenous IL‐2 for survival.
The ICOS‐ligand B7‐H2, expressed on human type II alveolar epithelial cells, plays a role in the pulmonary host defense system
Authors: Qian Xuesong , Agematsu Kazunaga , Freeman Gordon J. , Tagawa Yoh‐ichi , Sugane Kazuo , Hayashi Takuma 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe mechanism of immune defense against pathogens in the lung, has so far been poorly understood. Here, we show that human type II alveolar epithelial cells play a key role in defense via interactions between B7 homolog (B7h), also known as ICOS ligand, and its receptor ICOS expressed on activated T cells. The A549 alveolar type II cell line abundantly expresses B7‐H2, CD40 and B7‐1, but not B7‐2 or hGL50. TNF‐α significantly induced B7‐H2 and CD40 expression by A549 cells, but had no effect on B7‐1 or B7‐2 expression. TNF‐α‐deficient mice exhibited low B7‐H2 expression on alveolar epithelial cells in comparison with wild‐type mice. Co‐culture of TNF‐α pre‐stimulated A549 cells with CD4+ T cells promoted CD154 expression, CD4+ T cell proliferation and cytokine production, especially IFN‐γ. Monocyte‐derived TNF‐α in combination with IFN‐γ and LPS markedly induced B7‐H2 expression in A549 cells. This study thus identifies a unique costimulatory pathway via alveolar epithelial type II cells that preferentially affects T helper cell function, implying that alveolar epithelial type II cells play a crucial role in innate immunity in the lung by regulating IFN‐γ‐synthesis via B7‐H2/ICOS interactions.
ADAM17 activity during human neutrophil activation and apoptosis
Authors: Walcheck Bruce , Herrera Amy H. , Hill Catherine St. , Mattila Polly E. , Whitney Adeline R. , DeLeo Frank R. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractSubstrates of the metalloprotease ADAM17 (also known as TNF‐α converting enzyme or TACE) undergo ectodomain shedding and include various inflammatory modulators. Though polymorphonuclear leukocytes contribute significantly to inflammation, direct analyses of ADAM17 on human neutrophils are very limited. In addition, the current understanding of the processes regulating ADAM17 activity primarily relate to its rapid activation. Therefore, to extend insights into the mechanisms of ADAM17 activity, we examined its surface expression and the shedding of its substrates during extended periods of neutrophil activation and apoptosis. Contrary to studies with immortalized hematopoietic cell lines, we report that surface expression of ADAM17 is maintained by human neutrophils activated with formyl peptides or by FcR/complement receptor‐mediated phagocytosis. Interestingly, bacterial phagocytosis resulted in a significant increase in ADAM17 expression several hours after pathogen engulfment. We provide novel evidence that ADAM17 surface expression is also maintained during spontaneous and anti‐Fas‐induced neutrophil apoptosis. The well‐validated ADAM17 substrates L‐selectin and proTNF‐α were shed efficiently by neutrophils under each of the conditions tested. Our data thus indicate prolonged ADAM17 expression during neutrophil effector functions. The implications of this may be a role by ADAM17 in both the induction and down‐regulation of neutrophil activity.
A novel PKC regulates ERK activation and degranulation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes: Plasticity in PKC regulation of ERK
Authors: Puente Lawrence G. , He Jin‐Shu , Ostergaard Hanne L. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractStimulation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) degranulation with plate‐bound anti‐CD3 Ab leads to two phases of ERK activation: an early PKC‐independent phase followed by a later sustained PKC‐dependent phase. Herein, we show that a novel PKC (nPKC) mediates the late phase of ERK activation, upstream of Ras in murine T cells. In contrast, when CTL are activated with cross‐linked anti‐CD3 Ab, which does not trigger CTL degranulation, there is a requirement for conventional PKC (cPKC) for ERK activation. We detect increased novel PKCθ activation only when CTL are stimulated with plate‐bound Ab and not cross‐linked Ab. Interestingly, in T cells from mice lacking PKCθ, sustained ERK activation requires the activity of cPKC, implying that PKCθ is required for the nPKC pathway that normally mediates sustained ERK activation. CTL lines derived from PKCθ‐deficient mice degranulate and activate ERK normally, and exhibit altered expression of PKC isozymes, which may compensate for the loss of PKCθ. Taken together, these data demonstrate that normally an nPKC participates in the sustained activation of ERK. However, if the nPKC pathway is compromised, alternate PKC pathways can compensate, suggesting that considerable plasticity exists with respect to PKC regulation of ERK activation in T cells.
Rapid molecular dissection of viral and bacterial immunomes
Authors: Sahin Ugur , Türeci Özlem , Graf Claudine , Meyer Ralf G. , Lennerz Volker , Britten Cedrik M. , Dumrese Claudia , Scandella Elke , Wölfel Thomas , Ludewig Burkhard 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe development of preventive or therapeutic recombinant vaccines and the generation of serodiagnostic assays for infectious diseases depend essentially on the availability of molecularly defined antigens. A major bottleneck for the identification of suitable target antigens for many pathogens is the isolation of sufficient amounts of material for subsequent genomic or proteomic screening. Applying a highly efficient expression cloning strategy to the human pathogens vaccinia virus (VV) and Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP), we demonstrate that sub‐nanogram amounts of isolated nucleic acids can be utilized to determine comprehensive sets of immunodominant antigens. Remarkably, the approach not only confirmed the immunogenicity of previously reported antigens but also disclosed novel vaccine candidates conserved in orthopoxviruses, including antigenic envelope proteins and immunodominant CTL epitopes. Moreover, as illustrated for CP infection, we show that a panel of novel antigens can be readily selected from the initially discovered pool to build up pathogen‐specific seroassays. The established approach is rapid, making it an attractive procedure for the comprehensive dissection of immunomes of known human pathogens and newly emerging infectious agents.