bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitation of 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) in human plasma by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Kosovec Juliann E. , Egorin Merrill J. , Gjurich Susanna , Beumer Jan H. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract5‐Fluorouracil (5‐FU) has long had a place in the treatment of many malignancies. 5‐FU plasma concentrations have been correlated with toxicity and efficacy, and therapeutic drug monitoring has been reported to result in an improved response/toxicity balance. We report validation, according to FDA guidelines, of a hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) assay for the sensitive, accurate and precise quantitation of 5‐FU in human plasma. The assay employed an isotopically labeled 5‐FU internal standard and ethyl acetate extraction. Separation was achieved with an amino column and an isocratic mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile/water (97:3, v/v), followed by a wash. Detection consisted of electrospray, negative‐mode ionization tandem mass spectrometry in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The accuracy was 96.0–102.2%, and precision was 2.1–7.5% in the concentration range of 10–10 000 ng/mL. Recovery from plasma was 46.0–72.6%, and ion suppression was 9.8–25.7%. Plasma freeze/thaw stability was 87.5–104.3%, and stability for 4 h at room temperature was 98.7–100.0%. This assay is currently being used to quantitate 5‐FU in human plasma samples. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tracking and robustness analysis for controlled microelectromechanical relays
Authors: Malisoff Michael , Mazenc Frédéric , de Queiroz Marcio 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThe feedback control problem for microelectromechanical (MEM) relays is complicated by a quadratic nonlinearity in the dynamic model. We show that this nonlinearity imposes constraints on the reference trajectories that can be tracked and on the global convergence rate of the tracking error. Using a dynamic model that is applicable to both electrostatic and electromagnetic MEM relays, we introduce a new class of nonlinear tracking controls. In particular, we use Lyapunov theory to construct a state feedback that yields uniform global asymptotic stability and arbitrarily fast local exponential convergence of the tracking error. We then show how our control can be redesigned with partial‐state feedback under the assumption that only the movable electrode position and the electrical state (i.e. charge or flux) are fed back. Finally, we utilize input‐to‐state stability theory to quantify the robustness of our state feedback controller to parametric uncertainties. Our simulation results illustrate the good stability and tracking performance of the proposed control. They also illustrate how to craft a reference trajectory that satisfies the aforementioned constraints while being compatible with a typical relay operation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of a Peristaltic Crawling Robot Using Planar Link Mechanisms
Authors: Saga Norihiko , Seto Taichi , Takanashi Hiroyuki , Saito Naoki 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThe field of bio‐mechanisms, which develops new machines that use motion and control of organisms as a model, is attracting attention. We examined the peristaltic crawling of an earthworm as a transport function in place of wheels or ambulation, and have developed a robot running inside a tube. In this robot, a joint corresponding to the earthworm's segment is driven by a DC motor. This paper presents the experimental result of the peristaltic crawling of an actual earthworm and the evaluation result of the transport mechanism of a prototype robot. Copyright © 2007 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Kola real's low‐cost international expansion strategy
Authors: Robertson Christopher J. , van der Hoek Anthony , Kallman Rhonda 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThis case provides an interesting and relevant scenario of a family‐owned firm entering the low end of the cola market in Peru and expanding into other Latin American countries. For a family business owner, or for an entrepreneur looking for business pathways in Latin America, this look into Ajegroup's strategic planning to take advantage of expansion opportunities in the region can serve as either a cautionary tale, or an avenue toward future growth. The case is accompanied by comments from practitioner experts. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Should I send now or send later? A decision‐theoretic approach to transmission scheduling in sensor networks with mobile sinks
Authors: Bölöni Ladislau , Turgut Damla 
Published: December 2007

AbstractMobile sinks can significantly extend the lifetime of a sensor network by eliminating the need for expensive hop‐by‐hop routing. However, a sensor node might not always have a mobile sink in transmission range, or the mobile sink might be so far that the data transmission would be very expensive. In the latter case, the sensor node needs to make a decision whether it should send the data now, or take the risk to wait for a more favorable occasion. Making the right decisions in thistransmission scheduling problemhas significant impact on the performance and lifetime of the node. In this paper, we investigate the fundamentals of the transmission scheduling problem for sensor networks with mobile sinks. We first develop a dynamic programming‐based optimal algorithm for the case when the mobility of the sinks is known in advance. Then, we describe two decision theoretic algorithms which use only probabilistic models learned from the history of interaction with the mobile sinks, and do not require knowledge about their future mobility patterns. The first algorithm uses Markov Decision Processes with states without history information, while the second algorithm encodes some elements of the history into the state. Through a series of experiments, we show that the decision theoretic approaches significantly outperform naive heuristics, and can have a performance close to that of the optimal approach, without requiring an advance knowledge of the mobility. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regulation of angiopoietin-like protein 4/fasting-induced adipose factor (Angptl4/FIAF) expression in mouse white adipose tissue and 3T3-L1 adipocytes
Authors: Dutton Sarah , Trayhurn Paul 
Published: December 2007

Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (Angptl4)/FIAF (fasting-induced adipose factor) was first identified as a target for PPAR and to be strongly induced in white adipose tissue (WAT) by fasting. Here we have examined the regulation of the expression and release of this adipokine in mouse WAT and in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Angptl4/FIAF expression was measured by RT-PCR and real-time PCR; plasma Angptl4/FIAF and release of the protein in cell culture was determined by western blotting. The Angptl4/FIAF gene was expressed in each of the major WAT depots of mice, the mRNA level in WAT being similar to the liver and much higher (>50-fold) than skeletal muscle. Fasting mice (18 h) resulted in a substantial increase in Angptl4/FIAF mRNA in liver and muscle (9·5- and 21-fold, respectively); however, there was no effect of fasting on Angptl4/FIAF mRNA in WAT and the plasma level of Angptl4/FIAF was unchanged. The Angptl4/FIAF gene was expressed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes before and after differentiation, the level increasing post-differentiation; Angptl4/FIAF was released into the culture medium. Insulin, leptin, dexamethasone, noradrenaline, TNFα and several IL (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-18) had little effect on Angptl4/FIAF mRNA levels in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. However, a major stimulation of Angptl4/FIAF expression was observed with rosiglitazone and the inflammatory prostaglandins PGD2and PGJ2. Angptl4/FIAF does not act as an adipose tissue signal of nutritional status, but is markedly induced by fasting in liver and skeletal muscle.
ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH IN RICE BREEDING ON WOMEN FARMERS: A CASE STUDY IN EASTERN UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA
Authors: PARIS THELMA R. , SINGH ABHA , CUENO AMELIA D. , SINGH V. N. 
Published: December 2007

SUMMARYThis paper assesses farmer adoption of rice varieties and new genotypes introduced through participatory varietal selection (PVS) in villages which represent submergence- and drought/submergence-prone villages in eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. It focuses on the involvement of women farmers in participatory research for screening improved varieties for areas which suffer from abiotic stresses. It further assesses the impact on the decision-making authority (or women's empowerment) on rice varietal choice, seed acquisition and disposal, and crop management after participating in PVS trials. It suggests strategies to empower women farmers in making sound and timely decisions on farm-related matters and to enhance their roles in accelerating the adoption of new varieties.
Animal innovation defined and operationalized
Authors: Ramsey Grant , Bastian Meredith L. , van Schaik Carel 
Published: December 2007

AbstractInnovation is a key component of most definitions of culture and intelligence. Additionally, innovations may affect a species' ecology and evolution. Nonetheless, conceptual and empirical work on innovation has only recently begun. In particular, largely because the existing operational definition (first occurrence in a population) requires long-term studies of populations, there has been no systematic study of innovation in wild animals. To facilitate such study, we have produced a new definition of innovation: Innovation is the process that generates in an individual a novel learned behavior that is not simply a consequence of social learning or environmental induction. Using this definition, we propose a new operational approach for distinguishing innovations in the field. The operational criteria employ information from the following sources: (1) the behavior's geographic and local prevalence and individual frequency; (2) properties of the behavior, such as the social role of the behavior, the context in which the behavior is exhibited, and its similarity to other behaviors; (3) changes in the occurrence of the behavior over time; and (4) knowledge of spontaneous or experimentally induced behavior in captivity. These criteria do not require long-term studies at a single site, but information from multiple populations of a species will generally be needed. These criteria are systematized into a dichotomous key that can be used to assess whether a behavior observed in the field is likely to be an innovation.
Numerical modeling of heavy ion induced stress waves in solid targets
Authors: Tahir N. A. , Kim V. , Matvechev A. , Ostrik A. , Lomonosov I. V. , Piriz A. R. , Cela J.J. Lopez , Hoffmann D.H.H. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThis paper presents numerical simulations of thermodynamic and hydrodynamic response for solid targets that are irradiated with strongly bunched, highly focused, intense beams of energetic uranium ions. The main purpose of this work is to study the behavior of thermal stress waves induced in such targets by the incident ion beam. These theoretical studies will complement the experimental investigations that will be carried out in the near future at the Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung (GSI) plasma physics experimental area. These experiments will be performed using the existing heavy ion synchrotron, SIS18, which delivers 4 × 109 uranium ions in a single bunch with a length of about 125 ns. Other time structures, for example, a pulse that consists of a series of bunches, are also possible. The particle energy is on the order of 400 MeV/u and the beam can be focused to sub millimeter radius. This information concerning material response under intense beam loading will have important implications on designing a viable production target for the superconducting fragment separator, Super-FRS, which is going to be constructed at the future facility for antiproton and ion research (FAIR), Darmstadt, Germany, for the production and separation of exotic nuclei.
Potassium channels in the regulation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation and apoptosis: pharmacotherapeutic implications
Authors: Burg E D , Remillard C V , Yuan J X‐J 
Published: December 2007

Maintaining the proper balance between cell apoptosis and proliferation is required for normal tissue homeostasis; when this balance is disrupted, disease such as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) can result. Activity of K+channels plays a major role in regulating the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) population in the pulmonary vasculature, as they are involved in cell apoptosis, survival and proliferation. PASMCs from PAH patients demonstrate many cellular abnormalities linked to K+channels, including decreased K+current, downregulated expression of various K+channels, and inhibited apoptosis. K+is the major intracellular cation, and the K+current is a major determinant of cell volume. Apoptotic volume decrease (AVD), an early hallmark and prerequisite of programmed cell death, is characterized by K+and Cl−efflux. In addition to its role in AVD, cytosolic K+can be inhibitory toward endogenous caspases and nucleases and can suppress mitochondrial cytochromecrelease. In PASMC, K+channel activation accelerates AVD and enhances apoptosis, while K+channel inhibition decelerates AVD and inhibits apoptosis. Finally, inhibition of K+channels, by increasing cytosolic [Ca2+] as a result of membrane depolarization‐mediated opening of voltage‐dependent Ca2+channels, leads to PASMC contraction and proliferation. The goals of this review are twofold: (1) to elucidate the role of K+ions and K+channels in the proliferation and apoptosis of PASMC, with an emphasis on abnormal cell growth in human and animal models of PAH, and (2) to elaborate upon the targeting of K+flux pathways for pharmacological treatment of pulmonary vascular disease.British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)153, S99–S111; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707635; published online 17 December 2007
Endothelial α1‐adrenoceptors regulate neo‐angiogenesis
Authors: Ciccarelli M , Santulli G , Campanile A , Galasso G , Cervèro P , Altobelli G G , Cimini V , Pastore L , Piscione F , Trimarco B , Iaccarino G 
Published: December 2007

Background and purpose:Intact endothelium plays a pivotal role in post‐ischaemic angiogenesis. It is a phenomenon finely tuned by activation and inhibition of several endothelial receptors. The presence of α1‐adrenoceptors on the endothelium suggests that these receptors may participate in regenerative phenomena by regulating the responses of endothelial cells involved in neo‐angiogenesis.Experimental approach:We evaluated the expression of the subtypes of the α1‐adrenoceptor in isolated endothelial cells harvested from Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) rats. We explored the possibility these α1‐adrenoceptors may influence the pro‐angiogenic phenotype of endothelial cellsin vitro.In vivo, we used a model of hindlimb ischaemia in WKY rats, to assess the effects of α1adrenoceptor agonist or antagonist on angiogenesis in the ischaemic hindlimb by laser Doppler blood flow measurements, digital angiographies, hindlimb perfusion with dyed beads and histological evaluation.Key results:In vitro, pharmacological antagonism of α1‐adrenoceptors in endothelial cells from WKY rats by doxazosin enhanced, while stimulation of these adrenoceptors with phenylephrine, inhibited endothelial cell proliferation and DNA synthesis, ERK and retinoblastoma protein (Rb) phosphorylation, cell migration and tubule formation.In vivo, we found increased α1‐adrenoceptor density in the ischaemic hindlimb, compared to non‐ischaemic hindlimb, suggesting an enhanced α1‐adrenoceptor tone in the ischaemic tissue. Treatment with doxazosin (0.06 mg kg−1 day−1for 14 days) did not alter systemic blood pressure but enhanced neo‐angiogenesis in the ischaemic hindlimb, as measured by all our assays.Conclusions:Our findings support the hypothesis that the α1‐adrenoceptors in endothelial cells provide a negative regulation of angiogenesis.British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)153, 936–946; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707637; published online 17 December 2007
Synergistic depression of NMDA receptor‐mediated transmission by ketamine, ketoprofen andL‐NAME combinations in neonatal rat spinal cordsin vitro
Authors: Lizarraga I , Chambers J P , Johnson C B 
Published: December 2007

Background and purpose:SpinalN‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor/cyclooxygenase (COX) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) pathways play a major role in nociceptive processing, and influencing them simultaneously may induce synergistic analgesia. This study determined the spinal antinociceptive interactions between ketamine (NMDA receptor channel blocker), ketoprofen (COX inhibitor) andL‐NAME (NOS inhibitor) combinations.Experimental approach:Using anin vitroneonatal rat spinal cord preparation, two A‐fibre‐mediated reflexes, the monosynaptic reflex (MSR) and the low‐intensity excitatory postsynaptic potential (epsp), and one C‐fibre‐mediated reflex, the high‐intensity epsp, were evoked electrically. The effect of drugs and drug combinations on these reflexes was assessed and the type of interaction determined by isobolographic analysis.Key results:Infusion of ketamine alone decreased all three reflexes. That of ketoprofen decreased both the low and the high‐intensity epsp only. Infusion ofL‐NAME alone produced no significant effects. Co‐infusion of fixed ratios of IC40fractions of both (ketamine+ketoprofen) and (ketamine+L‐NAME) were synergistic for depressing the low and the high‐intensity epsps. The interaction was sub‐additive for both combinations on the MSR. The only significant effect for the (ketoprofen+L‐NAME) combination was synergism on the high‐intensity epsp.Conclusions and implications:All three combinations synergistically depressed nociceptive spinal transmission, and both ketamine and ketoprofen and ketamine andL‐NAME combinations did so with potentially decreased motor side effects. If such combination profiles also occurin vivo, the present findings raise the possibility of ultimate therapeutic exploitation of increased analgesia with fewer side effects.British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)153, 1030–1042; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707638; published online 17 December 2007
Chalk physical properties and cliff instability
Authors: Mortimore R. N. , Stone K. J. , Lawrence J. , Duperret A. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract

Physical properties such as porosity and intact dry density (IDD) are compared with strength testing in relation to the Chalk formations in the cliffs of the English Channel. Natural moisture contents are close to saturation moisture contents for chalks with intact dry densities above 1.70 Mg/m
3
. Below this IDD, the natural moisture contents show a much greater range and greater divergence from the saturation line. There is also an indication that certain types of chalk retain water at saturation level while others gain and lose water more readily. Strength tests (Point Load Index, Brazilian Crushing Strength and Uniaxial Compressive Strengths) show up to four times reductions in strength between dry (higher strength) and saturated (lower strength) samples. Absence of a strong correlation between density and strength is interpreted as resulting from either mineralogical differences in the samples and/or textural differences between different chalks. The variation in physical properties and strength in the different chalks forming the cliffs indicates the strong stratigraphical and sedimentological controls on mechanical performance of the material and mass in cliff failures.
Coastal chalk cliff erosion: experimental investigation on the role of marine factors
Authors: Brossard J. , Duperret A. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
In this paper the marine factors of erosion contributing to the chalk cliffs located on either side of the English Channel are examined. From an analysis of the literature, the main physical phenomena determining the marine erosion of the shore platform and the foot of the cliff are considered. Field observations of the coastal chalk cliff show that the vertical erosion of the shore platform does not appear to be the main cause of cliff erosion, which is mainly governed by cliff collapse processes. To estimate the impact of waves on the base of the cliff, experiments were carried out in a wave flume. The pressure due to the waves and the dissipation of waves were measured for three simple configurations of the boundary conditions between the cliff and the sea. The pressure never exceeded the compressive strength of chalk rock. Nevertheless, pressure fluctuations due to periodic waves can induce a fatigue process within the fracture structures.
The experimental results showed that the shingle by itself has a low effect on wave energy dissipation. The main effect of shingle is to reduce the water depth at the toe of the cliff. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that a lower water depth leads to a lower impact of the waves on the cliff.
Imaging, mapping and modelling continental lithosphere extension and breakup: an introduction
Authors: Karner G. D. , Manatschal G. , Pinheiro L. M. 
Published: December 2007

Abstact
This Special Publication is a direct outcome of a small but dedicated group of researchers who met in Pontresina, Switzerland, to review and define the fundamental observations characterizing extensional systems and their application in guiding and constraining modelling efforts and results. The various summaries of the keynote addresses give an objective overview of the state of the art in modelling lithospheric extensional systems, both from the regional scale using dynamic models to individual basins using kinematic models with an emphasis on capturing the extensional history of the Iberia and Newfoundland margins. At the heart of all of these efforts is a simple question: Exactly what mechanisms allow the continental lithosphere to be thinned to the point of rupture? Related questions are: (1) Do crustal and mantle faults play a major role in this thinning process? If so, what is their geometry and does their importance and geometry change with time? (2) Are there other mechanisms of lithospheric and crustal thinning that cannot be imaged on seismic sections? (3) How is deformation accommodated in space and time? (4) What role do inherited mechanical, thermal and/or chemical heterogeneities play in controlling strain distribution and localization? (5) When, how and to what degree does magma production affect the distribution and localization of extension? And (6) what is the stratigraphic record of continental extension and how does it document the extension of the crust and thinning of the lithospheric mantle?
The aim of this Special Publication is to address many of these fundamental questions concerning the extreme extension and thinning of continental lithosphere.