bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potentiometric Response of Modified Carbon Paste Electrode Based on Mixed Ion‐Exchangers
Authors: Abu‐Shawish Hazem M. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractA new chemically modified carbon paste electrode based on a mixture of two ion‐exchangers namely chlorpheniramine‐silicotungstate (CPM‐ST) and chlorpheniramine‐tetraphenylborate (CPM‐TPB) as ion‐exchange site for determination of chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) was described. The best performance was exhibited by the electrode having the paste containing 3.0 wt% ion‐exchangers (CPM‐ST&CPM‐TPB), 48.5 wt% graphite, 47.5 wt% DOPh and 1.0 wt% NaTPB. The proposed chemically modified carbon paste electrode exhibited a Nernstian response for CPM over a wide concentration range of 1.2×10−6 to 1.0×10−2 M with a detection limit of 5.1×10−7 M between pH 4.5 and 7.7 with fast response ≤10 s. The sensor showed good selectivity for CPM with respect to a large number of inorganic cations, organic cations, sugars, amino acids and some common drug excipients. The modified electrode was applied to potentiometric determination of CPM in its pharmaceutical preparations and biological fluids (serum and urine) with average recoveries of 97.5–102% and relative standard deviations of 0.32–1.97%.
Influence of Plants and Organic Matter on the Nitrogen Removal in Laboratory‐Scale Model Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetlands Inoculated with Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidizing Bacteria
Authors: Paredes D. , Kuschk P. , Köser H. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractAnaerobic oxidation of ammonium has become an alternative for the treatment of wastewater with high ammonium loads, and it was also suggested to be involved in the nitrogen removal process in constructed wetlands. Nonetheless, its role has not been well evaluated as yet. In this paper, results of a lab‐scale study are presented focusing on the evaluation of the role of Anammox bacteria, plants, applied ammonia, nitrite nitrogen loads, and the presence of organic matter in nitrogen transformation processes in subsurface‐flow constructed wetlands. The inoculation of the experimental model wetlands with active Anammox biomass increased the total nitrogen and ammonium removal rates to values up to 5.7 g N/m2 d, which is almost 10 times higher than those values reported for subsurface flow constructed wetlands. Although the presence of plants caused a higher removal rate, the role of the plants became less important with high nitrite influent concentration. Because the unplanted experimental system without the addition of any organic carbon source showed also high nitrogen removal rates, it can be concluded that beside the potential for “conventional” denitrification in the planted systems the main mechanism for explaining the high nitrogen removal rates obtained during the experiments was the anaerobic ammonia oxidation. The assay of the formation of hydrazine from hydroxylamine and the findings of the molecular biology tests fitted with the positive results for potential Anammox activity obtained in the bottle test. The addition of organic carbon, specifically acetate, apparently had no great influence on Anammox activity, which is in agreement with the findings reported by other authors. Nevertheless, the addition influenced the redox potential. Some questions are still left open, which are mainly associated with the scaling up of these results and the inoculation of Anammox biomass in full‐scale systems.
Effects of hillslope topography on hydrological responses in a weathered granite mountain, Japan: comparison of the runoff response between the valley‐head and the side slope
Authors: Fujimoto Masamitsu , Ohte Nobuhito , Tani Makoto 
Published: December 2007

AbstractTo evaluate the effects of hillslope topography on storm runoff in a weathered granite mountain, discharge rate, soil pore water pressures, and water chemistry were observed on two types of hillslope: a valley‐head (a concave hillslope) and a side slope (a planar hillslope). Hydrological responses on the valley‐head and side slope reflected their respective topographic characteristics and varied with the rainfall magnitude. During small rainfall events (<35 mm), runoff from the side slope occurred rapidly relative to the valley‐head. The valley‐head showed little response in storm runoff. As rainfall amounts increased (35–60 mm), the valley‐head yielded a higher flow relative to the side slope. For large rainfall events (>60 mm), runoff from both hillslopes increased with rainfall, although that from the valley‐head was larger than that from the side slope. The differences in the runoff responses were caused by differences in the roles of lower‐slope soils and the convergence of the hillslope. During small rainfall events, the side slope could store little water; in contrast, all rainwater could be stored in the soils at the valley‐head hollow. As the amount of rainfall increased, the subsurface saturated area of the valley‐head extended from the bottom to the upper portion of the slope, with the contributions of transient groundwater via lateral preferential flowpaths due to the high concentration of subsurface water. Conversely, saturated subsurface flow did not contribute to runoff responses, and the subsurface saturated area at the side slope did not extend to the upper slope for the same storm size. During large rainfall events, expansion of the subsurface saturated area was observed in both hillslopes. Thus, differences in the concentration of subsurface water, reflecting hillslope topography, may create differences in the extension of the subsurface saturated area, as well as variability in runoff responses. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Narrowing of the regions of allelic losses of chromosome 1p36 in meningioma tissues by an improved SSCP analysis
Authors: Guan Yanlei , Hata Nobuhiro , Kuga Daisuke , Yoshimoto Koji , Mizoguchi Masahiro , Shono Tadahisa , Suzuki Satoshi O. , Tahira Tomoko , Kukita Yoji , Higasa Koichiro , Yokoyama Nobuhiko , Nagata Shinji , Iwaki Toru , Sasaki Tomio , Hayashi Kenshi 
Published: December 2007

AbstractMapping loss of heterozygosity (LOH) regions in the genomes of tumor tissues is a practical approach for identifying genes whose loss is related to tumorigenesis. Conventional LOH analyses using microsatellite or single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers require the simultaneous examination of tumor‐ and matched normal‐DNA. Here, we improved the previously developed SNP‐based LOH assay using single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, so that LOH in tumor samples heavily contaminated with normal DNA can now be precisely estimated, even when matched normal DNA is not available. We demonstrate the reliability of the improved SSCP‐based LOH detection method, called the LOH estimation by quantitative SSCP analysis using averaged control (LOQUS‐AC), by comparing the results with those of the previous “LOH estimated by quantitative SSCP assay” (LOQUS) method. Using the LOQUS‐AC assay, LOH was detected at a high consistency (98.1%) with the previous LOQUS method. We then applied this new method to characterize LOH profiles in 130 meningiomas, using 68 SNPs (i.e., a mean inter‐SNP interval of 441 kbp) that are evenly distributed throughout chromosome 1p36. Benign, atypical and anaplastic meningiomas exhibited 1p36 LOH at frequencies of 48.39, 84.62 and 100.00%, respectively, using LOQUS‐AC. Subsequently, we detected a candidate common LOH region on 1p36.11 that might harbor tumor suppressor genes related to malignant progression of meningioma. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fruit and vegetable intake and head and neck cancer risk in a large United States prospective cohort study
Authors: Freedman Neal D. , Park Yikyung , Subar Amy F. , Hollenbeck Albert R. , Leitzmann Michael F. , Schatzkin Arthur , Abnet Christian C. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractSquamous head and neck cancers include cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx are the sixth leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, resulting in more than 350,000 deaths annually. Intake of fruit and vegetables may protect against head and neck cancer incidence, although few prospective studies have examined this association. We investigated this relation in 490,802 United States participants of the NIH‐AARP Diet and Health cohort using Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for potential confounders. During 2,193,751 person years of follow‐up from 1995/1996–2000, 787 participants were diagnosed with head and neck cancer. We found an inverse association between total fruit and vegetable intake and head and neck cancer risk (per serving/day/1,000 calories, Hazard Ratio, 95% Confidence interval: 0.94, 0.89–0.99). In models mutually adjusted for fruit and vegetable intake, the association was stronger for vegetables (fifth vs. first quintile: 0.65, 0.50–0.85) than for fruits (fifth vs. first quintile: 0.87, 0.68–1.11). When further subclassified into botanical groups, those in the highest tertile of leguminosae (dried beans, string beans and peas, 0.80, 0.67–0.96), rosaceae (apples, peach, nectarines, plums, pears and strawberries, 0.60, 0.49–0.73), solanaceae (peppers and tomatoes, 0.82, 0.69–0.98) and umbelliferae (carrots, 0.73, 0.60–0.89) had decreased risk of head and neck cancer, but no significant associations were seen for 9 other botanical groups. Results from this large prospective observational study are consistent with previous case‐control studies and support the hypothesis that total fruit and vegetable intake is associated with reduced risk of head and neck cancer. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A S(3, {4, 6}, 18) with a subdesign S(3, 4, 8) does not exist
Authors: Linek Vaclav 
Published: December 2007

AbstractFor $K \subset \{1,2,3,\ldots\}$, a S(t,K,v) design is a pair, $(V,{\cal B})$, with |V| = v and ${\cal B}$ a set of subsets of V such that each t‐subset of V is contained in a unique $\alpha \in {\cal B}$ and $\vert \alpha \vert \in K$ for all $\alpha \in {\cal B}$. If $U \subseteq V$, $\vert U\vert=u$, ${\cal A}=\{\alpha\in{\cal B} : \alpha\subseteq U\}$, and $(U,{\cal A})$ is a S(t,K,u) design, then we say $(V,{\cal B})$ has a subdesign on U. We show that a S(3,{4,6},18) design with a subdesign S(3,4,8) does not exist. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 17: 36–38, 2009
Effect of preload reduction on sonographic myocardial integrated backscatter
Authors: Minczykowski Andrzej , Zaremba‐Drobnik Danuta , Pietrzak Irena , Czekalski Stanislaw , Wysocki Henryk 
Published: December 2007

AbstractPurposeSonographic myocardial tissue characterization with integrated backscatter (IBS) is affected by both structural and functional properties of the myocardium. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of preload reduction by hemodialysis (HD) on IBS measurements.MethodsFifty‐two patients on maintenance HD underwent echocardiography before and after a routine HD session. Measurements included the variation of IBS during the cardiac cycle (CV‐IBS) and calibrated IBS (cal‐IBS).ResultsAfter HD, there were significant reductions in left ventricular end‐diastolic and end‐systolic dimensions and left atrial diameter. There was a reduction in stroke volume and LV ejection fraction consistent with a reduction in preload. Furthermore, CV‐IBS was significantly lower after HD (7.9 ± 2.2 versus 6.9 ± 1.8 dB, 7.0 ± 2.1 versus 6.2 ± 1.9 dB, and 9.0 ± 2.6 versus 8.1 ± 2.0 dB [p < 0.01], respectively, in the left anterior, lateral, and inferior wall of the ventricle). Cal‐IBS remained unchanged after dialysis compared with baseline. CV‐IBS and ultrafiltration volume were significantly correlated.ConclusionHD leads to a decrease in CV‐IBS that appears to be preload‐dependent. This finding is in concordance with diminished left ventricular performance during HD. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2008
Common and distinct mechanisms of different redox‐active carcinogens involved in the transformation of mouse JB6P+ cells
Authors: Yang Sun , Misner Bobbye , Chiu Rita , Meyskens Frank L. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractWe transformed JB6P+ cells with prolonged intermittent low‐dose UVB radiation or prolonged exposure to low‐dose H2O2 or CdCl2. Stable transformation was confirmed by an anchorage‐independence assay. The JB6P+ transformants formed more colonies (∼six folds) in soft agar as compared to their JB6P+ parent cells and were associated with increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Activating protein‐1 (AP‐1) is a family of transcription factors that are rapidly activated by elevated intracellular ROS levels, and their composition is important in the process of cellular transformation and/or tumor progression. To investigate if carcinogenesis induced by distinct carcinogens was via similar molecular mechanisms in these transformants, gel mobility shift and immunoblot analyses were utilized to determine the distinct AP‐1 compositions. Compared to parent JB6P+ cells, the gain of JunB and Fra‐1 in AP‐1 DNA binding complexes was markedly increased in all transformed cells, which might contribute to a more proliferative phenotype, while loss of Fra‐2 occurred in JB6P+/H2O2 and JB6P+/Cd cells. Differential AP‐1 components in the transformants suggested that their transformations might be mediated by distinct transcription signalings with distinct AP‐1 dimer compositions. However, all three transformants exhibited increased activation of pathways involved in cell proliferation (ERK/Fra‐1/AP‐1 and JNK/c‐jun/AP‐1) and anti‐apoptosis (Bcl‐xl). The development of the JB6P+ transformants (JB6P+/UVB; JB6P+/H2O2; JB6P+/Cd) provides a unique tool to study the mechanisms that contribute to different redox‐active carcinogens in a single model. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of hydraulic dilation on changes of caliber and thickness in vascular vessel: An experimental study
Authors: Jiang Jia , Fan Cun‐Yi , Zeng Bing‐Fang 
Published: December 2007

AbstractObjective: To study the proliferation of artery after hydraulic dilation under different pressures. Material and methods: Right carotid arteries of New Zealand white rabbits (group A, B, C, D) were dilated by hydraulic dilation under different pressures (0, 40, 80, 120 Kpa). The arterial caliber, thickness of tunica intima (TI) and smooth muscle (SM) were measured with TJTY‐300 automatic medical photograph analyzer at 0, 1, 2 weeks, respectively after dilation. Results: 1) The arterial caliber of group B was greater than that in group A (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) at 0 and 1 week after hydraulic dilation, but no difference was found in 2 weeks after dilation. The thickness of TI and SM of group B was not different from group A at every time point. 2) The arterial calibers of group C, D were significantly larger than that of group A immediately and at 1 week (P < 0.01, P < 0.01). Group B, D showed no difference with group A (P > 0.05) at 2 weeks. The thickness of TI and SM of group C, D had no difference with group A (P > 0.05) immediately, but greater than group A at 1 and 2 weeks (P < 0.01, P < 0.01). Conclusion: 1) Arterial caliber can be increased by hydraulic dilation under different pressures. But hydraulic dilation over 80 Kpa pressure may lead to proliferation of TI and SM. 2) It is safe for arterial hydraulic dilation to be conducted under pressure of 40 Kpa. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2008.
Recognition and treatment of neonatal community‐associated MRSA pneumonia and bacteremia
Authors: Yee‐Guardino Stephanie , Kumar Deepak , Abughali Nazha , Tuohy Marion , Hall Gerri S. , Kumar Mary L. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractCommunity‐associated strains of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA‐MRSA) have recently emerged as a major cause of serious infections among older children and are now being seen in NICU patients. We present the case of a preterm infant with CA‐MRSA necrotizing pneumonia and secondary bacteremia. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:203–205. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lung function and somatic growth in patients with hemoglobin SC sickle cell disease
Authors: Koumbourlis Anastassios C. , Lee Donna J. , Lee Ada 
Published: December 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the changes in lung function and somatic growth that occur over time in children with hemoglobin SC (Hb‐SC) sickle cell disease (SCD).MethodsMeasurements of lung function and somatic growth were performed in patients with Hb‐SC twice with an interval of 50.2 ± 26.0 months. Comparisons were made with a group of patients with hemoglobin SS (Hb‐SS) SCD, matched by age, race, and gender who underwent similar testing and served as controls.ResultsIndices of lung function in patients with Hb‐SC were and remained within the normal range in the two testing periods and they were significantly higher than those measured among patients with Hb‐SS. However, there was significant and similar decline (as percentage from baseline) over time in both groups (forced vital capacity, FVC: −3.7 ± 9.4 vs. −3.8 ± 14.2; forced expiratory volume in the first second, FEV1: −7.4 ± 9.3 vs. −6.8 ± 15.2; forced expiratory flow at 25–75% of FVC, FEF25–75: −13.7 ± 20.6 vs. −12.1 ± 24.7 for Hb‐SC and Hb‐SS respectively). The body mass index (BMI, percentile) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher among patients with Hb‐SC (49 ± 36 vs. 26 ± 18) and increased over time in both groups (50 ± 33 vs. 32 ± 31).ConclusionLung function is generally normal among children with Hb‐SC, but it declines over time in a fashion similar to that observed among patients with Hb‐SS SCD. The decline is slow and it is not associated with changes in somatic growth. Our findings suggest that patients with Hb‐SC should probably have the same close follow‐up as patients with Hb‐SS. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:175–178. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mechanical integrity—Stationary equipment reliability
Authors: Pinto F. Walter 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThis article describes the elements of a successful stationary equipment reliability program in a petrochemical facility. The paper addresses management systems, engineering practices, preventive/predictive maintenance/inspection systems, performance metrics, and resources. The paper shares the stationary equipment reliability program at Lyondell Chemical Company and a number of best practices developed as part of the reliability program. Also, some success stories and lessons learned are shared. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2008
Behavioral responding and nucleus accumbens cell firing are unaltered following periods of abstinence from sucrose
Authors: Jones Joshua L. , Wheeler Robert A. , Carelli Regina M. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractA critical feature of cocaine addiction is the strong propensity to relapse following periods of abstinence. Here, we examined whether abstinence from sucrose self‐administration in rats altered behavioral responding and nucleus accumbens (NAc) cell firing in a manner similar to that observed following cocaine abstinence. Rats (n = 22) were trained to self‐administer sucrose on a short‐access schedule, previously shown to increase motivated behavior following sucrose abstinence, and then underwent either a 0, 7, or 30 day period of abstinence. Next, electrophysiological recording procedures were used to examine NAc activity (n = 199 neurons) during resumption of sucrose self‐administration. Results showed no increase in sucrose‐seeking or changes in cell firing of NAc neurons following any abstinence period. Furthermore, in a separate group of animals (n = 17) trained under identical conditions, sucrose‐seeking behaviors were assessed during extinction and cue‐induced reinstatement to further examine if any changes in motivated responding are evident following abstinence. Again, no evidence was obtained for any alterations in sucrose‐seeking across abstinence conditions. These results suggest that natural rewards, such as sucrose, when provided in short access, do not always elicit robust changes in motivated responding, or NAc cell firing following abstinence unlike that observed in prior studies with cocaine. These findings are discussed with respect to the role of the NAc in processing goal‐directed behaviors for drug vs. natural rewards following periods of abstinence. Synapse 62:219–228, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Profit sharing and investment by regulated utilities: A welfare analysis
Authors: Moretto Michele , Panteghini Paolo M. , Scarpa Carlo 
Published: December 2007

AbstractWe analyse the effects of different regulatory schemes (price cap and profit sharing) on the endogenous size of a firm's investment. Using a real option approach in continuous time, we show that profit sharing does not delay a firm's start‐up investment compared to a pure price‐cap scheme. Profit sharing does not necessarily affect total investment either, if the threshold for profit sharing is high enough. Only a profit sharing intervening for low profit levels could delay further investments. We also evaluate the effects of profit sharing on social welfare, determining profit level that should optimally trigger tighter regulation: profit sharing should be less stringent in sectors where there is more opportunity for larger investment.
French Constitutional History, Garden or Graveyard?
Authors: van Nifterik Gustaaf 
Published: December 2007

On 29 May 2005 the French said no to the draft of a European Constitution. And frankly, the French should know about constitutions! One can differ whether the history of France should be considered a fruitful garden of constitutional thought, a graveyard of constitutional experiments, a ‘musée des constitutions’, or a minefield; in any case it is beyond doubt that the French are rather experienced in constitutions and constitutional changes. Since the French Revolution in 1789, France has been a monarchy, a republic more than once, an empire twice and a constitutional monarchy in between; the nineteenth century shows the pattern monarchy, republic, empire; since 1958 the French live in their Fifth Republic.There is a lot to learn from the constitutional history (perhaps struggle is a better word in this context) of this important European country for any political entity in search of a proper constitution. Which constitutional institutions were a success, which were not; why did it or did it not work out the way it was planned?
Complex carbohydrate specificity of lectin from fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum. A surface plasmon resonance study
Authors: Thakur Atul , Pal Lakhan , Ahmad Absar , Khan M. I. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThe thermodynamics and kinetics of binding of glycans and glycoproteins to Ganoderma lucidum lectin was studied using surface plasmon resonance. The lectin showed highest affinity for asialo triantennary N glycan (Ka = 3.52×105) among the glycans tested. There was a several fold increase in affinity for glycoproteins compared to their corresponding glycans and coincident increase in contribution from enthalpy (ΔH), suggesting the involvement of hydrogen bonding in the interaction as well as involvement of protein‐protein interactions. Increased affinity also showed increase in unfavorable negative binding entropy (ΔS) which was compensated with higher enthalpy. The glycoproteins showed faster association rates (k1) and the activation energy (E†1) in the association process was much lower for the glycoproteins than glycans, resulting in their faster associations. These observations elaborate the role of protein matrix in lectin‐glycoconjugate interaction.