bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction of kinetics and kinematics of running animals using an analytical approximation to the planar spring-mass system
Authors: Robilliard Justine J. , Wilson Alan M. 
Published: December 2005

SUMMARYThe spring-mass model is often used to describe bouncing gaits. Although at first inspection the mechanical system appears simple, the solution to the motion cannot be derived easily. An analytical solution would provide a fast and intuitive method to determine the kinetic and kinematics of the centre of mass of terrestrial animals during over-ground steady state locomotion. Here,an analytical approximation using sine wave simplifications for the motion is presented. The analytical solution was almost indistinguishable from the numerical solution across initial leg angles of 17.5–30°; percentage differences between the analytical solution and the numerical solution were less than 1% for total mechanical energy, centre of mass position, total limb compression and centre of mass velocity and less than 2% different for resultant limb force and vertical acceleration of the centre of mass. The solution matched the relationship between stance time and speed collected from a trotting racehorse and accurately characterised previously published biological data. This study has shown that a simple analytical solution can predict the kinetics and kinematics of a spring-mass system over the range of biologically relevant sweep angles and horizontal velocities, and could be used to further understanding of limb deployment and gait selection. Using this analytical solution not only the force profile but also the changes in mechanical energy can be calculated from easily observed morphological and kinematic data.
Plant senescence cues entry into diapause in the gall flyEurosta solidaginis: resulting metabolic depression is critical for water conservation
Authors: Williams Jason B. , Lee Richard E. 
Published: December 2005

SUMMARYMechanisms and possible cues for seasonal increases in desiccation resistance in larvae of the goldenrod gall fly Eurosta solidaginis,were examined before and after natural and premature plant senescence, or after being removed from their gall and placed in either 100, 95 or 75%relative humidity (RH). Rates of water loss were 8.6-fold lower, averaging 0.7±0.2 μg mm–2 h–1, in larvae from senescent gall tissue and after all RH treatments than in control larvae from pre-senescent plants. Enhanced desiccation resistance occurred quickly,within 3 days of removal from their gall. Contrary to most previous reports, a large majority of the increased desiccation resistance (∼85%) was due to reduced respiratory transpiration with the remainder being the result of a lowered cuticular permeability. Rates of cuticular water loss were reduced by the presence of a vapor pressure gradient between the larval hemolymph and environmental water vapor and were probably due to increases in cuticular lipids and/or production of the cryoprotectant glycerol. Metabolic rate was reduced by over fourfold, averaging 0.07±0.01 μl CO2g–1 h–1, in larvae from senescent gall tissue and all RH treatments compared to larvae from pre-senescent plants. The magnitude of the reduction in metabolic rates indicated that these larvae had entered diapause. In addition, larvae entered diapause in response to removal from, or degeneration of, the gall tissue they feed, on rather than seasonal changes in temperature or photoperiod. The low metabolic rates of the diapausing larvae probably allowed them to dramatically reduce their respiratory transpiration and total rate of water loss compared with non-diapausing controls. Thus, diapause, with its associated lowered metabolic rate, may be essential for conserving water in overwintering temperate insects, which may be dormant for six or more months of the year.
Ontogeny of bone strain: the zygomatic arch in pigs
Authors: Herring Susan W. , Pedersen Scott C. , Huang Xiaofeng 
Published: December 2005

SUMMARYAt the time of weaning, infant animals have little experience with hard food, and thus their skulls are not likely to be epigenetically adapted for the loads imposed by mastication. We examined bone strain in the zygomatic arch of 4-week-old weanling piglets. Functional strains in piglets differed from those previously reported for older pigs in that the squamosal bone was not bent in the horizontal plane and the principal tensile strain on the zygomatic bone did not correspond to the direction of masseter muscle pull. Strain patterns were more variable in piglets than in older pigs. In older pigs, masticatory strains can be reproduced by stimulating the masseter muscles. When the piglet masseter was stimulated, strain patterns were more similar to those of older pigs, but shear strain magnitudes were the largest yet recorded from mammalian skull bones, up to 4000 μϵ. To put these findings in the context of skeletal adaptation, 45 dry skulls, including some animals from the strain study, were measured. Reduced major axis regressions indicated that the infant arch was rounder in cross section and straighter than that of older animals. With growth, the arch became dorsoventrally higher, while mediolateral thickness decreased in the squamosal bone. Overall,these changes should make strain more predictable, explaining the lower variability in older animals. Other factors likely to be important in causing unique strain regimes in piglets include (1) unfamiliarity with hard food, (2)greater importance of muscles other than the same-side masseter and (3)greater proximity of molariform teeth to the arch. Collectively, these data indicate that the skeleton is not pre-adapted for specific functional loads.
Acute thermal stress and various heavy metals induce tissue-specific pro-or anti-apoptotic events via the p38-MAPK signal transduction pathway in Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lam.)
Authors: Kefaloyianni Erene , Gourgou Eleni , Ferle Vanessa , Kotsakis Efstathios , Gaitanaki Catherine , Beis Isidoros 
Published: December 2005

SUMMARY
We investigated the effects of various heavy metals such as copper, zinc and cadmium, as well as acute thermal stress, on the signalling mechanisms involved in the protection and/or apoptosis of Mytilus galloprovincialis mantle and gill tissues. The results of our studies revealed that mantle and gill tissues differentially respond to the stressful stimuli examined. In the mantle tissue, 1 μmol l–1Cu2+ and 50 μmol l–1 Zn2+ induced a transient p38-MAPK activation, whereas 1 μmol l–1Cd2+ induced a biphasic profile of the kinase phosphorylation with maximal values at 15 and 120 min of treatment, respectively. Furthermore, 1μmol l–1 SB203580 abolished the Cu2+-induced kinase phosphorylation. In gills, both Cu2+ and Zn2+induced a considerably higher p38-MAPK activation, which remained elevated for at least 60 min, whereas Cd2+ induced a maximal kinase activation within 60 min of treatment. Hypothermia (4°C) induced a moderate kinase phosphorylation (maximised at 30 min), whereas hyperthermia (30°C) induced a rapid (within 15 min) p38-MAPK phosphorylation that remained considerably above basal levels for at least 2 h. Our studies on the synergistic effect of hyperthermia and Cu2+ revealed that these two stressful stimuli are additive in the mantle tissue, inducing an almost double p38-MAPK activation. Further studies on the involvement of the p38-MAPK signalling pathway in tissue-specific pro- or anti-apoptotic events revealed that identical stressful stimuli possibly lead to apoptotic death via the caspase-3 activation in the mantle tissue and to anti-apoptotic events possibly via the induction of Hsp70 overexpression in the gill tissue.
Chromatic interaction between egg pigmentation and skin chromatophores in the nuptial coloration of female two-spotted gobies
Authors: Svensson Per Andreas , Forsgren Elisabet , Amundsen Trond , Sköld Helen Nilsson 
Published: December 2005

SUMMARYIn two-spotted gobies (Gobiusculus flavescens Fabricius 1779),females develop an orange belly as they approach sexual maturity. Bright belly coloration is preferred by males and has been suggested to act as a female ornament. This coloration is unusual in that it originates partly from pigmentation of the abdominal skin but also from strongly pigmented gonads directly visible through the skin. In addition, females have been observed to temporarily become more colourful during courtship and competition. To understand how gonad and skin pigmentation interact in this nuptial coloration, the potential for colour modification via regulation of skin chromatophores was investigated. Noradrenaline caused aggregation of chromatophore pigment and was used to experimentally reduce the contribution of skin chromatophores to the nuptial coloration. Chromatophore pigment aggregation caused bellies to become less colourful and abdominal skin biopsies to become less colourful and more transparent. There was a strong positive relationship between belly coloration and the coloration of the underlying gonads. This shows that belly coloration honestly reflects egg pigmentation, mainly because the transparency of the abdominal skin allows other fish to see the gonads directly. Interestingly, when noradrenaline caused pigment to aggregate and thereby increased the transparency of the skin, the relationship between belly and gonad coloration weakened. We conclude that female G. flavescens have a potential to use skin chromatophores to rapidly alter their nuptial coloration, thereby affecting the efficacy with which information about gonad coloration is conveyed.
Clinically Related Protein–Peptide Interactions Monitored in Real Time on Novel Peptide Chips by Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging
Authors: Cherif Boutheina , Roget André , Villiers Christian L , Calemczuk Roberto , Leroy Vincent , Marche Patrice N , Livache Thierry , Villiers Marie-Bernadette 
Published: December 2005

AbstractBackground: Developing rapid, high-throughput assays for detecting and characterizing protein–protein interactions is a great challenge in the postgenomic era. We have developed a new method that allows parallel analysis of multiple analytes in biological fluids and is suitable for biological and medical studies.Methods: This technology for studying peptide–antibody interactions is based on polypyrrole-peptide chips and surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi). We generated a chip bearing a large panel of peptide probes by successive electro-directed copolymerizations of pyrrole–peptide conjugates on a gold surface.Results: We provide evidence that (a) the signal produced by antibody binding is highly specific; (b) the detected signal specifically reflects the antibody concentration of the tested solution in a dose-dependent manner; (c) this technique is appropriate for analyzing complex media such as undiluted sera, a novelty with respect to previous techniques; and (d) correlation between classic ELISA results and the SPRi signal is good (P = 0.008). We also validated this system in a medical model by detecting anti-hepatitis C antibodies in patient-derived sera.Conclusion: Because of its characteristics (easy preparation of the peptide chip; high-throughput, label-free, real-time detection; high specificity; and low background), this technology is suitable for screening biological samples and for large-scale studies.
6S RNA – an ancient regulator of bacterial RNA polymerase rediscovered
Authors: Willkomm Dagmar K. , Hartmann Roland K. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe bacterial riboregulator 6S RNA was one of the first non-coding RNAs to be discovered in the late 1960s, but its cellular role remained enigmatic until the year 2000. 6S RNA, only recognized to be ubiquitous among bacteria in 2005, binds to RNA polymerase in a σ factor-dependent manner to repress transcription from a subgroup of promoters. The common feature of a double-stranded rod with a central bulge has led to the proposal that 6S RNA may mimic an open promoter complex.
Chemical procedure applied for the identification of Rf/Db produced in the 48Ca +243Am reaction
Authors: Schumann Dorothea 
Published: December 2005

Summary
A chemical separation procedure for Rf/Db is described which was applied to a long-lived decay product from the nuclear fusion reaction 48Ca+ 243Am. A 1.2 mg thick 243Am target was bombarded by 247 MeV 48Ca particles. The recoiling products were collected in a thick Cu catcher for about one day and then subjected to a chemical separation procedure that included an ion exchange from dilute HF solutions. Final samples were prepared on 30 μg/cm2 thick polyethylene (PE) foils and counted in 4π-geometry for α-particles and spontaneous fission (SF) coincidences. The detector arrays were surrounded by 3He detectors to also assay prompt neutrons. Decontamination factors from actinides of about 105 were achieved. Group 6 (W) to 14 (Pb) elements as models for their heavier homologues were shown to be separated from the Rf/Db fraction with more than 90%. In eight final samples, representing a total beam dose of 3.4 × 1018 particles, 15 SF events were detected. The decay pattern points to a single component with a half-life of ≈32h, which shows a chemical behavior similar to the lighter homologues of group 4 and 5 elements.
Complexation of Cm(III)/Eu(III) with silicates in basic solutions
Authors: Wang Zheming , Felmy Andrew R. , Xia Y. X. , Qafoku O. , Yantassee W. , Cho H. 
Published: December 2005

Summary
The complexation of Cm(III) and Eu(III) with dissolved silica was studied by solubility measurement and time resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) in basic solutions over a range of total silica concentrations and ionic strengths (NaNO3). In initial experiments on the solubility of Eu(OH)3 in silicate containing solutions we observed a rapid increase in the soluble Eu(III) concentration under basic conditions. The Eu(III)/Cm(III) silicate complexes that formed caused a significant increase of the hypersensitive 5
D
0 → 2
F
2 band around 615 nm relative to the non-hypersensitive 5
D
0 → 7
F
1 band at 592 nm for Eu(III). Further studies of Eu(III) and Cm(III) containing solutions showed a shift of the fluorescence spectral maximum from 594 nm to up to 607 nm for Cm(III) along with a significant increase of fluorescence intensities. The fluorescence lifetimes for Eu(III) species increased from 115 μs to 1.8 ms in 3.0 M and 5.0 M NaNO3, corresponding to full coordination, and from 68 μs to 202 μs for Cm(III) in 0.1 M NaNO3, consistent with the removal of 6–7 water molecules upon silicate complexation. The variations of the fluorescence intensity and the concentrations of the monomeric and polymeric silicates suggested that in basic silicate solutions, Eu(III)/Cm(III) mainly complexes with polysilicates.
Americium and curium deposition in Finland from the Chernobyl accident
Authors: Salminen Susanna , Paatero J. , Jaakkola T. , Lehto Jukka 
Published: December 2005

Summary

241Am and 244Cm were analysed from peat samples collected in Finland immediately after the Chernobyl accident. The separation method included co-precipitation, anion exchange and extraction chromatography. Activities of 241Am and 244Cm were measured by alpha spectrometry. The activity of Chernobyl-derived 241Am varied between 0.0115 and 9.32 Bq/m2 and that of 244Cm from < 0.002 to 1.97 Bq/m2 (reference date 1.5.1986). The origin of 241Am in Finland is predominantly from atmospheric nuclear tests. However, the geographical distribution of Chernobyl-americium is uneven and depending on a location even 100% of 241Am in peat originated from the Chernobyl accident. The deposition pattern of Chernobyl-derived 241Am and 244Cm resembles that of other refractory nuclides, such as 95Zr, 141Ce and 239,240Pu.
Local Irradiation Not Only Induces Homing of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells at Exposed Sites but Promotes Their Widespread Engraftment to Multiple Organs: A Study of Their Quantitative Distribution After Irradiation Damage
Authors: François Sabine , Bensidhoum Morad , Mouiseddine Moubarak , Mazurier Christelle , Allenet Bénédicte , Semont Alexandra , Frick Johanna , Saché Amandine , Bouchet Sandrine , Thierry Dominique , Gourmelon Patrick , Gorin Norbert-Claude , Chapel Alain 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to migrate to various tissues. There is little information on the fate and potential therapeutic efficacy of the reinfusion of MSCs following total body irradiation (TBI). We addressed this question using human MSC (hMSCs) infused to nonobese diabetic/ severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice submitted to TBI. Further, we tested the impact of additional local irradiation (ALI) superimposed to TBI, as a model of accidental irradiation. NOD/SCID mice were transplanted with hM-SCs. Group 1 was not irradiated before receiving hMSC infusion. Group 2 received only TBI at a dose of 3.5 Gy, group 3 received local irradiation to the abdomen at a dose of 4.5 Gy in addition to TBI, and group 4 received local irradiation to the leg at 26.5 Gy in addition to TBI. Fifteen days after irradiation, quantitative and spatial distribution of the hMSCs were studied. Histological analysis of mouse tissues confirmed the presence of radio-induced lesions in the irradiated fields. Following their infusion into nonirradiated animals, hMSCs homed at a very low level to various tissues (lung, bone marrow, and muscles) and no significant engraftment was found in other organs. TBI induced an increase of engraftment levels of hMSCs in the brain, heart, bone marrow, and muscles. Abdominal irradiation (AI) as compared with leg irradiation (LI) increased hMSC engraftment in the exposed area (the gut, liver, and spleen). Hind LI as compared with AI increased hMSC engraftment in the exposed area (skin, quadriceps, and muscles). An increase of hMSC engraftment in organs outside the fields of the ALI was also observed. Conversely, following LI, hMSC engraftment was increased in the brain as compared with AI. This study shows that engraftment of hMSCs in NOD/ SCID mice with significantly increased in response to tissue injuries following TBI with or without ALI. ALI induced an increase of the level of engraftment at sites outside the local irradiation field, thus suggesting a distant (abscopal) effect of radiation damage. This work supports the use of MSCs to repair damaged normal tissues following accidental irradiation and possibly in patients submitted to radiotherapy.
Transmission of migration propensity increases genetic divergence between populations
Authors: Gagnon Alain , Toupance Bruno , Tremblay Marc , Beise Jan , Heyer Evelyne 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe advent of molecular genetics has brought invaluable information, which is now routinely used by anthropologists in their attempt to reconstruct our demographic past. Since mitochondrial DNA loci are much more similar between populations than are Y‐chromosome loci, it is suggested that women had a much higher migration rate than men throughout history. Based on an examination of intergenerational migration patterns in three large demographic databases, we bring this inference into question. In some early Canadian settlements (St. Lawrence Valley and Saguenay), and in the former Krummhörn region of northwest Germany, men whose fathers were migrants were more likely to migrate, while the migration probability of women was largely independent of that of their mothers. As a result, men's movements were less effective in preventing genetic differentiation between populations than women's movements. In order to account for the impact of transmission, we propose a slight modification of Wright's island model. We also address the relevance of this model at the regional scale, and we discuss the supporting historical and anthropological literature. We conclude that the widespread patrilocal rules of postmarital residence have generated both a higher female migration rate and a patrilineal dependency in the propensity to migrate. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Moisture absorption of filled silicone rubber under electrolyte
Authors: Dai Jianjun , Yao Xuefeng , Yeh H. Y. , Liang Xidong 
Published: December 2005

AbstractMoisture absorptions of filled silicone rubber (SiR) under strong electrolyte have been investigated in the temperature range of 25–60°C by weight‐gain experiments. Tests were performed with the materials exposed to NaCl, HNO3 solution, and deionized water. The diffusion results have been analyzed in terms of the Fickian diffusion law. The apparent maximum moisture content and the apparent diffusion of filled SiR in different solutions were deduced. The influences of the solution concentration and temperature on the diffusion process of filled SiR were discussed, and the microphotos of the surface of the immersed specimens were taken and analyzed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Influence of the compounding route on the properties of polypropylene/nano‐CaCO3/ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer tercomponent composites
Authors: Wang Xu , Sun Jian , Huang Rui 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe influence of the compounding route of polypropylene (PP)/ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer (EPDM)/nano‐CaCO3 composites on their properties, including their mechanical properties, the dispersion degree of nano‐CaCO3, and the morphology of EPDM, was studied. The results showed that the toughness of the composites and the morphology of the EPDM particles were markedly influenced by the compounding route, whereas the dispersion degree of nano‐CaCO3 in the matrix was little influenced by the compounding route. The impact strength of composites prepared by one route was about 60 kJ/m2 with 20 wt % nano‐CaCO3. The results indicated that a sandbag of nano‐CaCO3 embedded in EPDM could effectively improve the toughness of the composites. A sandbag composed of EPDM and nano‐CaCO3 eliminated the deterioration effect of the nano‐CaCO3 agglomerate on the toughness of the composites, whereas the nano‐CaCO3 agglomerate separately dispersed in PP decreased the toughness of the tercomponent composite © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Ossification of the mouse metatarsal: Differentiation and proliferation in the presence/absence of a defined growth plate
Authors: Reno Philip L. , Mcburney Denise L. , Lovejoy C. Owen , Horton Walter E. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThere is significant diversity in growth plate behavior among sites within an individual skeleton and between skeletons of different species. This variation within wild‐type animals is an underutilized resource for studying skeletal development. One bone that potentially exhibits the most diverse behavior is the metatarsal. While one end forms a growth plate with an epiphyseal secondary center of ossification as in other long bones, the opposite end undergoes direct ossification in a manner more similar to short bones. Although descriptions of human metatarsal/metacarpal ossification are available, a detailed comparative analysis has yet to be conducted in an animal model amenable to biomolecular analysis. Here we report an analysis of proximal and distal ossification in an age series of mouse metatarsals. Safranin O staining was used for qualitative and quantitative histology, and chondrocyte differentiation and proliferation were analyzed using immunohistochemistry for type X collagen and proliferative cell nuclear antigen expression. We establish that, as in the human, both growth plate formation and direct ossification occur in the mouse metatarsal, with chondrocyte populations showing distinct differentiation patterns at opposite ends of the bone. In addition, growth plate formation is characterized by a peak of proliferation in reserve zone chondrocytes that distinguishes it from both established growth plates and direct ossification. Our analysis demonstrates that the mouse metatarsal is a productive model for investigating natural variation in ossification that can further understanding of vertebrate skeletal development and evolution. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.