bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polymer/silica nanocomposites prepared via extrusion
Authors: Yang Feng , Nelson Gordon L. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThree polymer/silica nanocomposites were prepared by a single‐screw extrusion approach: poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene and polycarbonate/silica nanocomposites. The resulting nanocomposites were subjected to comprehensive studies of mechanical, thermal and flammability properties. All materials showed improved mechanical performance and thermal stabilities, although they are not strictly flame retardant when subjected to fire tests like Oxygen Index or horizontal Bunsen burner tests. However, the nanocomposites showed reduction in peak heat release rates and total heat release when evaluated by cone calorimetry. Moreover, the polycarbonate showed improvement in flammability according to vertical burning tests. All polycarbonate materials subjected to vertical burning testing are V2 rated, but after flame times with 1% silica were significantly reduced. A flame retardant mechanism is proposed in order to understand the relationship between interfacial interaction and flammability of polymer/silica nanocomposites. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
EPR study of paramagnetic Fe3+ centers in iron‐implanted TiO2 rutile
Authors: Güler S. , Rameev B. , Khaibullin R. I. , Bayrakdar H. , Aktaş B. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractSingle crystals of iron‐implanted TiO2 rutile have been investigated by the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique at room temperature. The spectra have been interpreted to correspond to the transitions among the spin multiplet (S = 5/2, L = 0) of the paramagnetic Fe3+ ions. Analysis of the EPR spectra shows that iron in TiO2 rutile host substitutes for Ti4+ ions. Two equivalent Fe3+ centers have been observed in the EPR spectra in correspondence with two equivalent octahedral positions of the Ti ions in the rutile structure. Parameters of the crystal field of orthorhombic symmetry on the Fe3+ centers have been obtained as a result of computer modelling. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Magnetic study of Hitperm alloys (Fe0.5Co0.5)1–x –y –zMxByCuz (M = Hf, Zr, Nb)
Authors: Pękała M. , Kowalczyk M. , Kulik T. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractA family of the Hitperm alloys (Fe0.5Co0.5)1–x –y –z Mx By Cuz (M = Hf, Zr, Nb) produced in an argon atmosphere as amorphous ribbons with 0.025 mm thickness are investigated up to 1200 K. The partial replacement of Fe by Co with optimal Fe0.5Co0.5 ratio increases the Curie temperature of the amorphous phase and the magnetic moment per formula unit. The early stages of crystallization can be observed by magnetization measurements. Alloys subjected to the first controlled crystallization stage are built of bcc‐(Fe,Co) nanocrystals that are homegeneously embedded in the amorphous matrix. Mean grain sizes are about 11 nm. These two‐phase alloys exhibit good soft magnetic properties with the relatively low coercive fields up to 50 A/m. Hafnium and hafnium/zirconium mixture are found to be the best inhibitors of the nanograin growth resulting in the best soft magnetic parameters. Alloys with niobium exhibit lower thermal stability and higher coercive fields. The correlation between the structure evolution and the magnetic properties is analysed and discussed. Conditions for optimum heat treatment are also determined. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
FMR study of ultrahigh vacuum e‐beam evaporated Co23Cu77 nanogranular films: Magnetotransport properties
Authors: Öksüzoglu R. Mustafa , Yalcın Nuh , Aktas Bekir , Fuess Hartmut 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe magnetic, magnetotransport and structural properties of Co23Cu77 granular thin films (7–43 nm) have been investigated using ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) and high‐resolution XRD techniques. Co particles possess a crystalline fcc structure in the investigated films. A correlation between the GMR effect and the anisotropy field has been found, which increases with increasing film thickness. Temperature‐dependent FMR measurements revealed a blocking effect, which results from the competition of long range dipole–dipole interaction and anisotropy fields of Co particles. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
How does stochasticity in colonization accelerate the speed of invasion in a cellular automaton model?
Authors: Kawasaki Kohkichi , Takasu Fugo , Caswell Hal , Shigesada Nanako 
Published: April 2006

AbstractWe investigate the speed of invasion waves for a single species generated by stochastic short‐ and/or long‐distance colonizations in a time‐continuous cellular automaton (CA) model on a two‐dimensional homogenous landscape. By simulating the CA models, we demonstrate that stochasticity can dramatically increase the speed of invasion compared to the corresponding deterministic CA model or the corresponding one‐dimensional stochastic CA model. To explain this phenomenon, we first develop a mathematical model for the invasion involving only short‐distance colonization (i.e., colonization only occurs from the eight adjacent cells), and present several approximation methods for solving the model. Our analyses show that the increased wave speed in the stochastic model is due to irregularity in the shape of the wavefront. Further extension of this model to include long‐distance colonization demonstrates that stochasticity influences speeds to even greater extents in this case. Using dimension analysis, we deduced a semi‐empirical formula for the speed as a function of three parameters intrinsic to short‐ and long‐distance colonization, which agrees well with simulation results. Based on these results, we discuss how important stochasticity in colonization and spatial dimensionality are in the acceleration of invasion speed.
Regular physical exercise in patients with type II diabetes mellitus
Authors: Nakhanakhup C. , Moungmee P. , Appell H. J. , Duarte J. A. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractIt is widely accepted that regular physical exercise helps diabetic patients control blood glucose, reduce cardiovascular risk factors, and prevent other related complications. In spite of the undoubted benefits of regular physical exercise, diabetic patients with chronic complications should be aware of potential hazards of practicing exercise. To avoid some harmful consequences of acute exercise, it is necessary to adopt a vigilant attitude with these risk patients and to carefully adjust type and intensity of exercise to the individual situation. This article intends to summarize and analyze the current literature concerning the preventive and therapeutic effects of regular exercise in diabetic patients, pointing out its physiological influence on blood glucose regulation, and to analyze the potential risks of acute physical exercise and the precautions given to patients with a variety of complications.
Linking e‐service quality and markups: The role of imperfect information in the supply chain
Authors: Rabinovich Elliot 
Published: April 2006

AbstractConsumers’ access to the Internet has greatly expanded their ability to compare offers across a wide array of retailers. In some particular industries (i.e., music), the Internet has also provided consumers with unprecedented opportunities to consider retail offers involving physical goods (i.e., CDs) alongside specialized services. As shown in this paper, these circumstances have important implications for the design and management of customer relationships. These circumstances also permeate relationships across retail and wholesale echelons in music supply chains. In particular, an empirical analysis shows that online consumer access to information on CD retail markups compels retailers to market a level of service quality that is consistent with that markup information. However, limitations in consumer access to markup data, available only to wholesalers and to Internet retailers, allow retailers to inversely link their markups to the fulfillment service quality offered to consumers with wholesaler support.
HTS-Corrector: software for the statistical analysis and correction of experimental high-throughput screening data
Authors: Makarenkov Vladimir , Kevorkov Dmytro , Zentilli Pablo , Gagarin Andrei , Malo Nathalie , Nadon Robert 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Motivation: High-throughput screening (HTS) plays a central role in modern drug discovery, allowing for testing of &gt;100 000 compounds per screen. The aim of our work was to develop and implement methods for minimizing the impact of systematic error in the analysis of HTS data. To the best of our knowledge, two new data correction methods included in HTS-Corrector are not available in any existing commercial software or freeware.
Results: This paper describes HTS-Corrector, a software application for the analysis of HTS data, detection and visualization of systematic error, and corresponding correction of HTS signals. Three new methods for the statistical analysis and correction of raw HTS data are included in HTS-Corrector: background evaluation, well correction and hit-sigma distribution procedures intended to minimize the impact of systematic errors. We discuss the main features of HTS-Corrector and demonstrate the benefits of the algorithms.
Availability: The Microsoft Windows version and a detailed description of the software are freely available at the following URL:
Contact: makarenkov.vladimir@uqam.ca
Integrating multi-attribute similarity networks for robust representation of the protein space
Authors: Çamoğlu Orhan , Can Tolga , Singh Ambuj K. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Motivation: A global view of the protein space is essential for functional and evolutionary analysis of proteins. In order to achieve this, a similarity network can be built using pairwise relationships among proteins. However, existing similarity networks employ a single similarity measure and therefore their utility depends highly on the quality of the selected measure. A more robust representation of the protein space can be realized if multiple sources of information are used.
Results: We propose a novel approach for analyzing multi-attribute similarity networks by combining random walks on graphs with Bayesian theory. A multi-attribute network is created by combining sequence and structure based similarity measures. For each attribute of the similarity network, one can compute a measure of affinity from a given protein to every other protein in the network using random walks. This process makes use of the implicit clustering information of the similarity network, and we show that it is superior to naive, local ranking methods. We then combine the computed affinities using a Bayesian framework. In particular, when we train a Bayesian model for automated classification of a novel protein, we achieve high classification accuracy and outperform single attribute networks. In addition, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our technique by comparison with a competing kernel-based information integration approach.
Availability: Source code is available upon request from the primary author.
Contact: orhan@cs.ucsb.edu
Supplementary Information: Supplementary data are available on Bioinformatic online.
Shwachman–Diamond syndrome: an inherited model of aplastic anaemia with accelerated angiogenesis
Authors: Leung Elaine W. , Rujkijyanont Piya , Beyene Joseph , Wei Kuiru , Abdelhaleem Mohamed , Freedman Melvin H. , Dror Yigal 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBone marrow angiogenesis is increased in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), but has not been studied in inherited or acquired marrow failure syndromes. Shwachman–Diamond syndrome (SDS) carries a high risk of MDS/AML and is characterised by marrow stromal dysfunction. Compared with controls, SDS patients without MDS/AML had higher marrow microvessel density. Stromal VEGF gene expression, stromal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion and VEGF levels in serum and marrow mononuclear cells were normal. Future studies should investigate the mechanism for increased angiogenesis in SDS, and whether SDS marrow, with its increased angiogenesis, promotes progression of malignant clones.
High‐dose darbepoetin alpha in the treatment of anaemia of lower risk myelodysplastic syndrome results of a phase II study
Authors: Mannone L. , Gardin C. , Quarre M. C. , Bernard J. F. , Vassilieff D. , Ades L. , Park S. , Vaultier S. , Hamza F. , Beyne‐rauzy M. O. , Cheze S. , Giraudier S. , Agape P. , Legros L. , Voillat L. , Dreyfus F. , Fenaux P. ,   for the Groupe Francais des Myelodysplasies (GFM)
Published: April 2006

SummaryAn open‐label, phase II non‐randomised trial was conducted with darbepoetin (DAR), an erythropoiesis‐stimulating factor with prolonged half‐life, at a weekly dose of 300 μg subcutaneously in 62 anaemic patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with an endogenous erythropoietin (EPO) level <500 mU/ml. Most of the patients were classified as low or intermediate 1 according to the International Prognostic Scoring System. After 12 weeks, 44 (71%) patients had an erythroid response (34 major and 10 minor), including eight of 13 patients who were previous non‐responders to conventional EPO. Two additional responses (one minor and one major) occurred, in 10 non‐responders, after the addition of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF). Thirty‐six of the 46 total responders (31/35 major and 5/11 minor) continued to respond on maintenance DAR after a median of 40 weeks (range 4–84). Median dose of DAR required to maintain response was 300 μg every 14 d. The only prognostic factors of favourable response were low endogenous EPO level and low or absent red blood cell transfusion requirement. Those results suggest that high‐dose DAR alone yields high erythroid response rates in anaemia of lower risk MDS, possibly equivalent to those obtained with conventional EPO + G‐CSF, although this will need to be confirmed in larger and randomised trials.
Central Asian origin of and strong genetic differentiation among populations of the rare and disjunct Carex atrofusca (Cyperaceae) in the Alps
Authors: Schönswetter Peter , Popp Magnus , Brochmann Christian 
Published: April 2006

AbstractAim  Carex atrofusca has an arctic–alpine distribution in the Northern Hemisphere, with only a few, disjunct localities known in the European Alps. These alpine populations are declining in number and size. In contrast, C. atrofusca has a wide circumpolar distribution range and is abundant in large parts of the Arctic. The degree of genetic differentiation of the alpine populations and their importance for the conservation of the intraspecific genetic variation of the species is unknown.Location  Eurasia and Greenland, with emphasis on the European Alps.Methods  We applied amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting and sequences of chloroplast DNA to determine the position of the alpine populations in a circumpolar phylogeography of C. atrofusca and to unravel the patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation within the Alps.Results  Two distinct major groups were detected in a neighbour‐joining analysis of AFLP data and in parsimony analysis of chloroplast DNA sequences: one consisting of the populations from Siberia and Greenland and one consisting of all European populations as sister to the populations from Central Asia. Within Europe, the populations from the Tatra Mountains and those from Scotland and Scandinavia formed two well‐supported groups, whereas the alpine populations did not constitute a group of their own. The genetic variation in the Alps was almost completely partitioned among the populations, and the populations were almost invariable.Main conclusions  The alpine populations possibly originated due to immigration from Central Asia. The strong differentiation among them suggests that genetic drift has been strongly acting on the populations, either as a consequence of founder events during colonization or due to subsequent reduction of population sizes during warm stages of the Holocene.
Genetic exchange of the S2 and S3 subunits in pertussis toxin
Authors: Raze Dominique , Veithen Alex , Sato Hiroko , Antoine Rudy , Menozzi Franco D. , Locht Camille 
Published: April 2006

Summary Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, produces a complex hetero‐oligomeric exotoxin, named pertussis toxin (PTX), which is responsible for several of the clinical manifestations associated with whooping cough. The toxin is composed of five dissimilar subunits, named S1 through S5 and arranged in a hexameric structure with a 1S1:1S2:1S3:2S4:1S5 stoichiometry. Although S2 and S3 share 70% amino acid identity, these two subunits were previously thought not to be able to substitute for each other in toxin assembly/secretion and the biological activities of PTX. Here, we show that toxin analogues containing two S3 subunits and lacking S2 (PTXΔS2), or containing two S2 subunits and lacking S3 (PTXΔS3), can be produced, assembled and secreted by B. pertussis strains, in which the S2‐encoding cistron or the S3‐coding cistrons have been inactivated by internal in‐frame deletions that avoid downstream effects. In fact, PTXΔS3 was produced in higher amounts in the bacterial culture supernatants than natural PTX, whereas PTXΔS2 was produced in lower amounts than PTX. The action of the toxin analogues on the clustering of Chinese Hamster Ovary cells was also affected differentially by the S2–S3 substitution. These toxin analogues constitute thus interesting probes for the study of cellular functions, in particular immune cell functions, for which natural PTX has already shown its usefulness.
Time, Space and Contextual Models of the Immunity Tolerance Decision: Bridging the Geographical Divide of Zinkernagel and Hengartner's ‘Credo 2004’
Authors: Anderson C. C. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractIn Credo 2004, Zinkernagel and Hengartner (Z&H) have continued their challenge to the immunological community to reconsider assumptions regarding the most fundamental aspects of adaptive immunity. They have appropriately championed the role of persistent, widely distributed antigen in tolerance induction, parameters that do not figure prominently in most other models. The global theory of immunity they have developed is predominately based on observations from studies with viruses and tumours. I suggest here that a more successful approach to generating a theory of the default rules of immunity can be obtained through the study of immunity versus tolerance in the setting of transplantation. Transplantation studies lack the confounding variable of competing evolution present in responses to specific infectious agents and tumours and, therefore, more clearly elucidate default rules of immunity. The geographical model in Credo 2004, primarily a one‐signal model regulated by antigen, is contrasted with (1) Cohn's time‐based two‐signal model and (2) a development–context model that postulates distinct central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms.
Role of Very Late Antigen‐1 in T‐cell‐Mediated Immunity to Systemic Viral Infection
Authors: Kauffmann S. Ø. , Thomsen A. R. , Christensen J. P. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe T‐cell response to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus was studied in mice lacking very late antigen‐1 (VLA‐1). The generation of virus‐specific effector T cells was unimpaired in VLA‐1–/– mice. In the memory phase, VLA‐1 deficiency did not influence the number of memory CD8+ T cells or their distribution between lymphoid and nonlymphoid organs. Regarding a functional role of VLA‐1, we found that intracerebral infection of both VLA‐1–/– and wild‐type (wt) mice resulted in lethal T‐cell‐mediated meningitis, and quantitative and qualitative analyses of the cellular exudate did not reveal any significant differences between the two strains. Expression of VLA‐1 was also found to be redundant regarding the ability of effector T cells to eliminate virus from internal organs of i.v. infected mice. Using delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) assays to evaluate subdermal CD8+ T‐cell‐mediated inflammation, no significant influence of VLA‐1 was found either in the primary response or in the memory phase. However, α‐VLA‐4 antibody reduced the DTH‐like reaction in VLA‐1–/– mice to a higher degree than in wt mice, suggesting a synergistic effect of blocking both integrins. Taken together, the current findings indicate that the expression of VLA‐1 is not pivotal for T‐cell‐mediated antiviral immunity to a systemic infection.
Is Kikuchi–Fujimoto disease a manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus?
Authors: Rao Gatha S. , Vohra Deepak , Kuruvilla Maria 
Published: April 2006

A 32‐year‐old woman presented with fever and swelling in the axillae of 2 months’ duration, and erythema of the face, fluid‐filled lesions on the trunk, oral ulcers, crusting of the lips, and redness and watering of the eyes for 3 days. The patient was initially diagnosed with tuberculous lymphadenitis and was given antituberculous treatment. One month later, she developed the present complaints (see below). The patient was photosensitive. There was no joint pain or Raynaud’s phenomenon. She had experienced three intrauterine deaths in the past with no live births.On examination, the patient was pale. Bilateral axillary lymphadenopathy was present. The lymph nodes were mobile, nontender, and not matted. Mucocutaneous examination revealed a malar eruption, flaccid bullae on the back (Fig. 1), crusting of the lips (Fig. 2), oral ulcers, and redness and discharge from the eyes. On investigation, immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, and IgA for tuberculosis were negative. There was anemia and leukopenia, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was raised, albumin in urine was positive, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was negative, and venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test was nonreactive. Antinuclear antibody (ANA), dsDNA, and antiphospholipid antibody were positive.Upper back showing erosions and postinflammatory hypopigmentationimageCrusting of the lipsimageFine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the axillary lymph node showed loss of nodal architecture. The extensive infiltrate consisted of lymphocytes, histiocytes, immunoblasts, and necrosis of cortical and paracortical areas. There was histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis without granulocytic infiltration. These features were suggestive of Kikuchi–Fujimoto’s disease (Fig. 3). Skin biopsy showed epidermal atrophy, basal cell vacuolation, focal hyperkeratosis, pilosebaceous atrophy, and follicular plugging. The dermis showed edema and a lymphocytic infiltrate in the upper dermis and around the blood vessels. These features were suggestive of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Direct immunofluorescence of lesional skin showed a strong continuous basement membrane zone (BMZ) band of C3 and fibrinogen and a strong discontinuous granular BMZ band of IgG. IgA was negative. Covered skin showed moderate and strong positivity for IgM and IgG, respectively. C3, IgA, and fibrinogen were negative. These findings were suggestive of SLE (Fig. 4).Fine needle aspiration cytology of the axillary lymph node (hemotoxylin and eosin, ×40)imageDirect immunofluorescence study showing evidence of systemic lupus erythematosus (fluorescein stain)imageBased on the clinical findings and investigations, a diagnosis of Kikuchi–Fujimoto’s disease with SLE was made.
The Azerbaijani scrub: a simple method to harvest large amounts of stratum corneum
Authors: Paslin David , Krug Esther 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackground  The study of skin barrier constituents may require collection of much stratum corneum. Existing methods are inadequate and/or difficult.Methods  A simple and safe method to harvest stratum corneum from glabrous human skin derives from the bathing practices of people in Azerbaijan. The method requires water immersion of the subject for 30 min immediately followed by vigorous scrubbing of skin with a moist rough crepe mitten.Results• This scrubbing method causes the separation of large amounts of stratum corneum which is easily harvested.Conclusion  The method facilitates study of stratum corneum components, including intercellular lipids.