bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inferences about winter temperatures and summer rains from the late Quaternary record of C4 perennial grasses and C3 desert shrubs in the northern Chihuahuan Desert
Authors: Holmgren Camille A. , Norris Jodi , Betancourt Julio L. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractLate Quaternary histories of two North American desert biomes—C4 grasslands and C3 shrublands—are poorly known despite their sensitivity and potential value in reconstructing summer rains and winter temperatures. Plant macrofossil assemblages from packrat midden series in the northern Chihuahuan Desert show that C4 grasses and annuals typical of desert grassland persisted near their present northern limits throughout the last glacial–interglacial cycle. By contrast, key C3 desert shrubs appeared somewhat abruptly after 5000 cal. yr BP. Bioclimatic envelopes for select C4 and C3 species are mapped to interpret the glacial–interglacial persistence of desert grassland and the mid‐to‐late Holocene expansion of desert shrublands. The envelopes suggest relatively warm Pleistocene temperatures with moist summers allowed for persistence of C4 grasses, whereas winters were probably too cold (or too wet) for C3 desert shrubs. Contrary to climate model results, core processes associated with the North American Monsoon and moisture transport to the northern Chihuahuan Desert remained intact throughout the last glacial–interglacial cycle. Mid‐latitude effects, however, truncated midsummer (July–August) moisture transport north of 35° N. The sudden expansion of desert shrublands after 5000 cal. yr BP may be a threshold response to warmer winters associated with increasing boreal winter insolation, and enhanced El Niño–Southern Oscillation variability. Published in 2006 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The post harvest sensory and chemical characteristics of cold‐stored pineapples pretreated with different Fruitone concentrations
Authors: Othman Zaulia , Madom Mohammed Selamat , Osman Azizah , Mohamed Suhaila 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe effects of Fruitone CPA [2‐(3‐chlorophenoxy)propionic acid] (0‐44 ppm) on post‐harvest storage, chemical characteristics and sensory evaluation of pineapples for fresh consumption after storage at 10 ± 1 °C were studied. Pre‐harvest Fruitone treatment beneficially affected the physical characteristics of pineapples, namely increased fruit weight, reduced texture loss, reduced crown size and delayed ripening, but adversely affected their chemical characteristics. Almost all parameters analysed (total soluble solid, titratable acidity, pH and sugars) showed that Fruitone concentrations between 35.2 and 44 ppm were most effective in delaying the ripening of pineapples compared to other concentrations. At these concentrations, Fruitone significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the total soluble solid and pH, but significantly (P < 0.05) increased the titratable acidity. Fruitone treatment was effective in maintaining the TSS and reduced the fluctuation of sugar and the sugar–acid ratio during storage and between fruits. Sensory scores showed that there was a slight increase in the score for odour after 3 weeks of storage between Fruitone‐treated pineapples and control pineapples, while all other sensory attributes (sourness, sweetness, flavour and overall acceptability) were insignificantly different. All sensory attributes correlated positively with pH and sucrose at low concentrations of Fruitone (0–8.8 ppm and 0–26.4 ppm, respectively); with glucose at intermediate Fruitone concentration (17.6–26.4 ppm); with total soluble solid at higher Fruitone concentrations (35.2–44 ppm); and with sugar–acid ratio at all concentrations (except at 44 ppm Fruitone). Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Volatile odour components and sensory quality of fresh and processed mandarin juices
Authors: Pérez‐López Antonio J , Carbonell‐Barrachina Ángel A 
Published: August 2006

AbstractTwelve volatile compounds were quantified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in juices from two Spanish mandarin varieties, Fortuna and Clemenules. Fresh Clemenules juice contained a higher amount of total volatile compounds (61.1 ± 1.1 mg L−1) than fresh Fortuna juice (48.8 ± 2.5 mg L−1), with D‐limonene (97.1%), myrcene (1.7%), sabinene (0.5%), α‐pinene (0.3%) and linalool (0.3%) being the predominant compounds. Pasteurisation of the mandarin juices (20 s at 98 °C) caused a significant reduction (∼12%) in vitamin C concentration. On the other hand, vitamin C was stable during storage of the juices for 60 days in aseptic tanks at 2 °C. Volatile compounds, however, were more affected by storage in aseptic refrigerated tanks (2 °C) than by heat treatment. Pasteurisation caused a mean decrease in the total concentration of volatile compounds of about 18%, while, after a storage time of 60 days, 36% of total volatiles present in the juices after pasteurisation were lost from both Fortuna and Clemenules juices. Significant reductions in the concentrations of D‐limonene, myrcene, sabinene, α‐pinene and linalool were found, while those of α‐terpineol and terpinen‐4‐ol increased. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
A Rapid Process for Producing Cellulose Multi‐Filament Fibers from a NaOH/Thiourea Solvent System
Authors: Ruan Dong , Zhang Lina , Lue Ang , Zhou Jinping , Chen Hui , Chen Xuming , Chu Benjamin , Kondo Tetsuo 
Published: August 2006

AbstractSummary: Cellulose was dissolved rapidly in 9.5 wt.‐% NaOH and 4.5 wt.‐% thiourea aqueous solution pre‐cooled to −5 °C to prepare a transparent solution. Novel cellulose multi‐filament fibers were spun successfully, for the first time, from the cellulose dope on an extended laboratory scale. The results from 13C NMR, scanning electron microscopy and wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) patterns indicated that the fibers exhibited cellulose II character and possessed a circular cross‐section and smooth surface. The tensile strength of the novel fibers reached 1.9–2.2 cN · dtex−1. 2D WAXD and SAXS patterns revealed that, with a drawing progress, the orientation factor increased and mechanical properties were improved.SEM micrographs of the novel multi‐filament fibers spun from cellulose solution in a NaOH/thiourea aqueous system pre‐cooled to −5 °C on an extended laboratory scale.magnified imageSEM micrographs of the novel multi‐filament fibers spun from cellulose solution in a NaOH/thiourea aqueous system pre‐cooled to −5 °C on an extended laboratory scale.
Synthesis of PEDOT Nanoparticles and Vesicles by Dispersion Polymerization in Alcoholic Media
Authors: Mumtaz Muhammad , de Cuendias Anne , Putaux Jean‐Luc , Cloutet Eric , Cramail Henri 
Published: August 2006

AbstractSummary: The synthesis of PEDOT nanoparticles and vesicles by dispersion polymerization in a methanol/water mixture (3/2, v/v) is reported, using either ammonium persulfate or iron(III) p‐toluenesulfonate as oxidants and α‐EDOT‐PEO as a reactive stabilizer. The influence of the oxidant as well as the α‐EDOT‐PEO molar mass and concentration on the core‐shell particle morphology and conductivity properties have been investigated. PEDOT particles with conductivities up to 1.5 × 10−2 S · cm−1 have been obtained in high yield.TEM image of PEDOT vesicles prepared using PEO‐based stabilizers of 25 000 g · mol−1 in water/methanol mixture (2:3 v/v) at room temperature using ammonium persulfate as an oxidant.magnified imageTEM image of PEDOT vesicles prepared using PEO‐based stabilizers of 25 000 g · mol−1 in water/methanol mixture (2:3 v/v) at room temperature using ammonium persulfate as an oxidant.
Simple Patterning of Cells on a Biocompatible Nonchemically Amplified Resist
Authors: Kim Jin‐Baek , Ganesan Ramakrishnan , Yoo So Young , Choi Jae‐Hak , Lee Sang Yup 
Published: August 2006

AbstractSummary: A simple lithographic process in conjunction with a novel biocompatible nonchemically amplified photoresist material was successfully used for cell patterning. UV light irradiation on selected regions of the nonchemically amplified resist film renders the exposed regions hydrophilic by the formation of carboxylic groups. Mouse fibroblast cells were found to be preferentially aligned and proliferated on the UV light exposed regions of the nonchemically amplified resist film where carboxylic groups were present.Schematic representation of the simplified lithographic process used for cell patterning.magnified imageSchematic representation of the simplified lithographic process used for cell patterning.
Nitroxide‐Mediated Radical Dispersion Polymerization of Styrene in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Using a Poly(dimethylsiloxane‐block‐styrene) Alkoxyamine as Initiator and Stabilizer
Authors: McHale Ronan , Aldabbagh Fawaz , Zetterlund Per B. , Okubo Masayoshi 
Published: August 2006

AbstractSummary: Nitroxide‐mediated dispersion polymerization of styrene in supercritical carbon dioxide has been performed successfully at 110 °C using a new polymeric so‐called inistab species, which fulfils the dual functions of an initiator and a colloidal stabilizer. The inistab species comprised a poly(dimethylsiloxane) block and a polystyrene block end‐capped with the nitroxide N‐tert‐N‐butyl‐N‐[1‐diethylphosphono‐(2,2‐dimethylpropyl)] nitroxide (SG1). The dispersion polymerization resulted in sub‐micron sized polymer particles and polymers of narrow polydispersity.TEM micrograph of PS particles prepared in the dispersion polymerization of S in scCO2 in the presence of PDMS(\overline M _{\rm n} = 6 500)‐b‐PS(\overline M _{\rm n} = 4 500)‐SG1 at 110 °C.magnified imageTEM micrograph of PS particles prepared in the dispersion polymerization of S in scCO2 in the presence of PDMS(\overline M _{\rm n} = 6 500)‐b‐PS(\overline M _{\rm n} = 4 500)‐SG1 at 110 °C.
Preparation of Well‐Defined Poly[(ethylene oxide)‐block‐(sodium 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane sulfonate)] Diblock Copolymers by Water‐Based Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization
Authors: Paneva Dilyana , Mespouille Laetitia , Manolova Nevena , Degée Philippe , Rashkov Iliya , Dubois Philippe 
Published: August 2006

AbstractSummary: Well‐defined poly[(ethylene oxide)‐block‐(sodium 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane sulfonate)] diblock copolymers [P(EOm‐b‐AMPSn)], have been obtained by water‐based ATRP using α‐methoxy‐ω‐(2‐methylbromoisobutyrate) poly(ethylene oxide)s (MeO‐P[EO]m‐BriB with m ranging from 12 to 113) and CuBr · 2Bpy (Bpy for 2,2′‐bipyridyl) as macroinitiator and catalytic complex, respectively. Compared to direct polymerization in water, it has been demonstrated that the water/methanol (3:1, v/v) mixture is better suited for predicting the final number‐average molar mass from the initial monomer‐to‐macroinitiator molar ratio and achieving a quite narrow polydispersity, even at high monomer conversion ($\overline M _{\rm w} /\overline M _{\rm n}$ ≈ 1.4 at 80% conversion). The effect of temperature, solvent mixture composition and addition of NaCl salt on the polymerization rate and extent of control over the copolymer molecular parameters have been highlighted as well.
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Effect of rivastigmine on tremor in patients with Parkinson's disease and dementia
Authors: Gurevich Tanya Y. , Shabtai Herzel , Korczyn Amos D. , Simon Ely S. , Giladi Nir 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to assess whether rivastigmine, a cholinergic agent, affects tremor features when given to improve cognition in demented Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Demented PD patients (n = 26; Mini‐Mental State Examination score, 13–25; age, 75.2 ± 4.9 yr) were given rivastigmine (mean dose, 8.0 mg/day) for 12 weeks. They underwent tremor assessment before and during treatment. Global Tremor Score (GTS) was based on eight items specific to tremor in the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. Tremor amplitude was also measured using accelerometers during the ON state in both hands in 19 patients. Drug therapy for other PD symptoms was unchanged. The mean group baseline GTS was 1.2 ± 1.6 points, increasing to 1.6 ± 2.4 points after treatment (mean increase, 0.4 ± 1.2 points; P > 0.05). The GTS increased by 3.2 ± 1.9 points (range, 1–5) in 7 patients (26.9%) and decreased by 1 ± 0 points in 3 patients (11.5%). Accelerometric assessment showed a significant increase of the average tremor amplitude in the right hand (0.08 ± 0.03 xg at baseline; 0.12 ± 0.02 xg at Week 12 of treatment, P = 0.02). Left‐hand tremor amplitude did not change. Rivastigmine caused only slight worsening of tremor in demented PD patients, while improving cognition. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
123I‐Ioflupane SPECT in the diagnosis of suspected psychogenic Parkinsonism
Authors: Gaig Carles , Martí Maria José , Tolosa Eduardo , Valldeoriola Francesc , Paredes Pilar , Lomeña Francisco Juan , Nakamae Fernando 
Published: August 2006

AbstractPsychogenic Parkinsonism (PsyP) can be clinically difficult to differentiate from Parkinson's disease (PD). Striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) imaging could be helpful in differentiating them. We performed 123I‐Ioflupane single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in 9 patients with suspected PsyP. In 1 patient, 123I‐Ioflupane SPECT disclosed bilateral decrease of striatal tracer uptake that indicated nigrostriatal degeneration. In this patient, a parkin gene mutation was detected. In the other 8 patients, 123I‐Ioflupane SPECT was normal and supported the initial suspicion of PsyP. Normal DAT imaging supports the diagnosis of PsyP, whereas reduced striatal tracer uptake suggests an underlying neurodegenerative Parkinsonism and should encourage the search for additional causes for the syndrome. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Jaw tremor: Prevalence and clinical correlates in three essential tremor case samples
Authors: Louis Elan D. , Rios Eileen , Applegate LaKeisha M. , Hernandez Nora C. , Andrews Howard F. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe spectrum of involuntary movements seen in essential tremor (ET) is limited. Jaw tremor is one such movement. The prevalence and clinical correlates of jaw tremor have not been studied in detail. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and examine the clinical correlates of jaw tremor in ET using ET cases from three distinct settings (population, tertiary‐referral center, brain repository). All ET cases underwent a videotaped tremor examination in which tremors (including limb, head, voice, and jaw) were assessed. The prevalence [95% confidence interval (CI)] of jaw tremor was lowest in the population sample (7.5%; 3.9%–14.2%), intermediate in the tertiary‐referral center (10.1%; 6.8%–14.7%), and highest in the brain repository (18.0%; 12.3%–25.5%; P = 0.03). Jaw tremor was associated with older age (P < 0.001), more severe action tremor of the arms (P < 0.001), and presence of head and voice tremor (P < 0.001). Jaw tremor was present in 4/14 (28.6%) ET cases with consistent rest tremor vs. 15/193 (7.8%) cases without rest tremor (odds ratio = 4.8; 95% CI = 1.3–7.0; P = 0.009). The prevalence of jaw tremor was 7.5% to 18.0% and was dependent on the mode of ascertainment, being least prevalent in a population‐based sample. ET cases with jaw tremor had a more clinically severe and more topographically widespread disorder. The association in our study between jaw tremor and rest tremor, along with the published observation that jaw tremor can occur in Parkinson's disease (PD), raises the question whether jaw tremor in ET is a marker for subsequent conversion to PD. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Screening of acrylamide contents in potato crisps using process variable settings and near‐infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Segtnan Vegard H. , Kita Agnieszka , Mielnik Maria , Jørgensen Kjetil , Knutsen Svein Halvor 
Published: August 2006

AbstractIn order to study the formation of acrylamide in potato crisps during processing, an experimental design was set up. The design variables were drying time (6 levels), frying temperature (2 levels) and frying time (8 levels). The design contained 36 samples, which were analysed for acrylamide contents using LC high‐resolution mass spectroscopy (LC‐HRMS), and fat contents using the Soxhlet apparatus. Prior to analysis, all potato crisp samples were ground and analysed on an NIRSystems 6500 near‐infrared (NIR) spectrometer. The acrylamide contents were modelled by: (i) design variables using multiple linear regression, (ii) NIR spectra using partial least squares regression (PLSR) and (iii) design variables and NIR spectra in combination using a novel technique combining least squares regression on the former, and PLSR on the latter. The results showed that the NIR spectra alone or in combination with the design variables gave better prediction models for acrylamide than the design variables alone. This implies that the spectra contain chemical information that is not purely a result of the processing variables that were investigated in this experiment. NIR spectroscopy is proposed as a possible tool for screening and identification of potato crisps with a high acrylamide content.
Relations between relative mRNA abundance and developmental competence of ovine oocytes
Authors: Leoni G.G. , Bebbere D. , Succu S. , Berlinguer F. , Mossa F. , Galioto M. , Bogliolo L. , Ledda S. , Naitana S. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe present study was conducted to investigate the relation between in vitro developmental competence and the expression of a panel of developmentally important genes in germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes. One‐month‐old prepubertal and adult sheep oocytes were used as models of low and high quality gametes, respectively. Cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COCs) derived from lambs and ewes were in vitro matured and fertilized, and their cleavage rate at 22, 26, and 32 hr post fertilization and the blastocyst yield were observed to assess their developmental potential. In parallel, the relative abundance (RA) of 11 genes was analyzed by semi‐quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT‐PCR) assay in the two groups of oocytes. We observed similar maturation and fertilization rates in the two groups, but a significant lower rate of cleaved prepubertal oocytes (P < 0.05), a general delay in the timing of their first division (P < 0.01), and a lower blastocysts production (P < 0.05). The analysis of gene expression evidenced no difference in the RA of four transcripts [superoxide dismutase (SOD), ubiquitin, β‐actin, cyclin B] in the two classes of oocytes, but a statistically lower RA of seven messenger RNAs (mRNA) [Na+K+ATPase, p34cdc2, Glucose‐transporter I (Glut‐1), Activin, Zona Occludens Protein 2 (PanZO2), Poli(A)Polymerase (PAP), E‐Cadherin (E‐Cad)] in the prepubertal oocytes compared to the adult ones. The present data show for the first time in the ovine species that the lower developmental competence is associated with deficiencies in the mRNAs storage during the oocyte growth. Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Glycogen synthase kinase‐3 regulation of chromatin segregation and cytokinesis in mouse preimplantation embryos
Authors: Acevedo Nicole , Wang Xia , Dunn Rodney L. , Smith Gary D. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractGlycogen synthase kinase‐3 (GSK‐3) is a highly conserved serine/threonine protein kinase implicated in diverse cellular processes. Activity of GSK‐3 is essential for meiotic chromatin segregation in oocytes, yet expression and/or function of GSK‐3 have not been reported in mammalian preimplantation embryos. Objectives of this study were to characterize GSK‐3 protein expression/phosphorylation in mouse preimplantation embryos, to assess the effect of GSK‐3 activity inhibition on early mitotic events, and to differentiate nuclear and cytoplasmic anomalies in GSK‐3 inhibited embryos. Both GSK‐3 isoforms were expressed during embryo development, with a differential expression of α versus β. Phosphorylation of GSK‐3α/β at residues Y279/Y216 indicated constitutive activation throughout preimplantation development. Phosphorylation at N‐terminal residues S21/S9 indicated inhibition of GSK‐3α/β activity that was differentially regulated during early development; both α and β isoforms were phosphorylated during early divisions, whereas at the blastocyst stage, only β was phosphorylated. Cytoplasmic microinjection of zygotes with anti‐GSK‐3α/β antibody significantly compromised embryonic development past the two‐cell stage compared to controls. Reversibility of developmental block was tested via pharmacological inhibitors of GSK‐3, lithium chloride (LiCl) and alsterpaullone. Similar to immunoneutralization, significantly fewer zygotes cultured with either LiCl or alsterpaullone developed past the two‐cell stage compared to controls and this mitotic block was not reversible. Inhibition of GSK‐3 activity significantly compromised timing of pronuclear membrane breakdown and mitosis initiation, nuclear development, and cytokinesis. Inhibition of GSK‐3 also resulted in abnormal chromatin segregation, evidenced by incomplete karyokinesis and micronuclei formation. These results suggest that GSK‐3 activity is critical for early preimplantation embryonic development. Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Activation of ribosomal RNA genes in porcine embryos produced in vitro or by somatic cell nuclear transfer
Authors: Bjerregaard Bolette , Pedersen Hanne G. , Jakobsen Anne S. , Rickords Lee F. , Lai Liangxue , Cheong Hee‐Tae , Samuel Melissa , Prather Randall S. , Strejcek Frantisek , Rasmussen Zaida R. , Laurincik Jozef , Niemann Heiner , Maddox‐Hyttel Poul , Thomsen Preben D. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe onset of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis occurs during the second half of the third cell cycle, that is, at the four‐cell stage, in porcine embryos developed in vivo. In the present study the onset of rRNA synthesis was investigated in porcine embryos produced in vitro (IVP) or by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with an rDNA probe and subsequent visualization of the nucleolar proteins by silver staining. In the 205 IVP embryos investigated, all two‐cell embryos (n = 34) were categorized as transcriptionally inactive. At the late four‐cell stage (n = 45), 38% of the embryos contained 1–3 nuclei with signs of rRNA transcription, indicating an asynchronous transcription initiation. This pattern continued in the following stages, as 78% (n = 47), 47% (n = 42) and 83% (n = 37) of the embryos revealed a mixture of transcriptionally inactive and active cells at the eight‐cell, 16‐cell and blastocyst stage, respectively. In the 143 SCNT embryos investigated, all two‐cell embryos (n = 34) and early four‐cell embryos (n = 12) were also transcriptionally inactive. At the late four‐cell stage (n = 33) and at the eight‐cell stage (n = 24) there were equal proportions of transcriptionally active and inactive embryos and essentially all embryos that developed to the 16‐cell stage (n = 21) and further to the blastocyst stage (n = 19) contained only transcriptionally active cells. In conclusion, porcine embryos produced in vitro had an asynchronous pattern of rRNA transcription initiation when compared to SCNT and in vivo developed porcine embryos. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 35–41, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.