bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protective capacity and epitope specificity of CD8+ T cells responding to lethal West Nile virus infection
Authors: Brien James D. , Uhrlaub Jennifer L. , Nikolich‐Žugich Janko 
Published: June 2007

AbstractWest Nile virus (WNV) is a small, positive‐strand RNA virus belonging to the Flaviviridae genus, which causes lethal encephalitis in a subset of infected birds and mammals. In humans, WNV exhibits pronounced age‐related morbidity and mortality, but the basis of this effect is unclear, and the molecular and cellular parameters of the host‐WNV infection are just beginning to be elucidated. Indeed, numerous mechanisms were implicated in protection in vivo against WNV (IFN‐I and IFN‐γ, antibody, C’, CD8 and CD4 T cells), but the individual importance of each one of these remains unclear. Here, we show that transfer of highly enriched naïve CD8+ T cells protects the majority of alymphoid mice against lethal WNV infection. To substantiate and expand this finding, we defined the peptide specificity of the CD8 response in H‐2b mice and used a panel of identified peptides to map one dominant (NS4b 2248–2256) and several subdominant epitopes. The hierarchy of these epitopes was stably maintained in the memory responses. Most importantly, CTL lines directed against these peptides conferred protection against lethal WNV infection in direct proportion to the epitope immunodominance. These results provide a springboard for future characterization of T cell responses against WNV and demonstrate, for the first time, that CD8 T cells can single‐handedly protect from this disease.
Preparation and Characterization of a Lignin Modified Electrode
Authors: Milczarek Grzegorz 
Published: June 2007

AbstractAlkali lignin undergoes strong adsorption on polycrystalline gold electrodes. Subsequent oxidation in a sulfuric acid solution leads to a restructured redox‐active polymer that shows features characteristic for surface confined species. Surface coverage of up to 4.40×10−10 mol cm−2 may be obtained depending on the adsorption time or lignin concentration in the adsorption solution. Using Laviron's approach the electron‐transfer rate constant and the transfer coefficient were found to be 8.9 s−1 and 0.35, respectively. The formal potential of the redox couple shifted negatively with pH at a rate of ca. 60 mV/pH unit, suggesting a 2 e/2 H+ reaction. The redox couple was also found to be a good mediator for electrochemical ascorbic acid oxidation in neutral phosphate buffer with ca. 250 mV reduction of the oxidation overpotential.
Electrochemical Nucleic Acid Biosensors for the Detection of Interaction Between Peroxynitrite and DNA
Authors: de la Fuente Elizabeth , Villagra Gonzalo , Bollo Soledad 
Published: June 2007

AbstractWe studied the reactivity of peroxynitrite and different nucleic acid molecules using DNA electrochemical biosensors. SIN‐1 (3‐morpholinosydnonimine) has been used for the simultaneous generation of NO⋅and superoxide, i.e., as a peroxynitrite (ONOO−) donor. Double strand DNA (dsDNA), single strand DNA (ssDNA) and 15 guanine bases oligonucleotide (Oligo(dG)15) were immobilized on a carbon paste electrode to generate the biosensor and DPV was selected as the electroanalytical technique. Results showed that electrochemical biosensors were very sensitive for detecting interaction between ONOO− and DNA. A down/up effect was observed, i.e., at low ONOO− concentrations the guanine oxidation signal decreased while at high ONOO− concentrations the guanine oxidation current increased. Oligo(dG)15 exhibited greater interaction at low ONOO− concentrations than the other DNA molecules. The reactivity between ONOO− and DNA was also evaluated in solution phase, showing the same down/up effect. Finally, the capacity of DNA to hybridize was prevented after interaction with ONOO−.
Detection of NADH and Ethanol at Titanium Containing MCM‐41 with Low Overpotential
Authors: Dai Zhihui , Lu Guofei , Bao Jianchun , Huang Xiaohua , Ju Huangxian 
Published: June 2007

AbstractTitanium‐containing MCM‐41 (Ti‐MCM‐41) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) can exhibit an excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of β‐Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). A dramatic decrease in the overvoltage of NADH oxidation reaction is observed at 0.28 V vs. SCE. The application in the amperometric biosensing of ethanol using alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme (ADH) also has been demonstrated with this material. The proposed sensor shows a highly sensitivity, an acceptable reproducibility and a good stability. The linear range of ethanol is 25–1000 μM and the detection limit is 8.0 μM. Ti‐MCM‐41 modified electrode not only can be used to detect the concentration of NADH in biochemical reaction, but also as the potential matrix for the construction of dehydrogenases sensor.
Electrochemical Determination of Ascorbic Acid in Room Temperature Ionic Liquid BPPF6 Modified Carbon Paste Electrode
Authors: Sun Wei , Yang Maoxia , Gao Ruifang , Jiao Kui 
Published: June 2007

AbstractA room temperature ionic liquid N‐butylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate (BPPF6) was used as a binder to make an ionic liquid modified carbon paste electrode (IL‐CPE), which showed good characteristics such as simple preparation procedure, fast electrochemical response and good conductivity. The electrochemical oxidation of ascorbic acid (AA) on the new IL‐CPE was carefully studied. The oxidation peak potential of AA on the IL‐CPE appeared at 109 mV (vs. SCE), which was about 338 mV decrease of the overpotential compared to that obtained on the traditional carbon paste electrode (CPE) and the oxidation peak current was increased for about four times. The electrochemical parameters of AA on the IL‐CPE were calculated with the charge transfer coefficient (α) and the electrode reaction rate constant (ks) as 0.87 and 0.800 s−1, respectively. Based on the relationship of the oxidation peak current and the concentration of AA a sensitive analytical method was established with cyclic voltammetry. The linear range for AA determination was in the range from 1.0×10−5 to 3.0×10−3 mol/L with the linear regression equation as Ip (μA)=−2.52–0.064C (μmol/L) (n=13, γ=0.9942) and the detection limit was calculated as 8.0×10−6 mol/L (3σ). The proposed method was free of the interferences of coexisting substances such as dopamine (DA) and amino acids etc., and successfully applied to the vitamin C tablets determination.
Probabilistic seismic demand analysis using advanced ground motion intensity measures
Authors: Tothong Polsak , Luco Nicolas 
Published: June 2007

AbstractOne of the objectives in performance‐based earthquake engineering is to quantify the seismic reliability of a structure at a site. For that purpose, probabilistic seismic demand analysis (PSDA) is used as a tool to estimate the mean annual frequency of exceeding a specified value of a structural demand parameter (e.g. interstorey drift). This paper compares and contrasts the use, in PSDA, of certain advanced scalar versus vector and conventional scalar ground motion intensity measures (IMs). One of the benefits of using a well‐chosen IM is that more accurate evaluations of seismic performance are achieved without the need to perform detailed ground motion record selection for the nonlinear dynamic structural analyses involved in PSDA (e.g. record selection with respect to seismic parameters such as earthquake magnitude, source‐to‐site distance, and ground motion epsilon). For structural demands that are dominated by a first mode of vibration, using inelastic spectral displacement (Sdi) can be advantageous relative to the conventionally used elastic spectral acceleration (Sa) and the vector IM consisting of Sa and epsilon (ε). This paper demonstrates that this is true for ordinary and for near‐source pulse‐like earthquake records. The latter ground motions cannot be adequately characterized by either Sa alone or the vector of Sa and ε. For structural demands with significant higher‐mode contributions (under either of the two types of ground motions), even Sdi (alone) is not sufficient, so an advanced scalar IM that additionally incorporates higher modes is used. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cost related optimum design method for overhead high voltage transmission lines
Authors: Ekonomou L. , Fotis G. P. , Maris T. I. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe design of transmission lines is often the key issue for the existence or absence of failures caused by lightning. Detailed engineering studies are usually performed by electric power utilities for the design of new transmission lines. However, there are also cases where the design is based simply on tradition or on utilities' standardization policy. The paper presents a cost related method for the optimum design of overhead high voltage transmission lines, which intends to reduce or even eliminate the lightning failures. Lightning failures' cost is related to design parameters' cost in order to calculate the optimum and most economic design parameter values. In order to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, the method is applied on several operating Hellenic transmission lines of 150 and 400 kV, respectively, carefully selected among others, due to their high failure rates during lightning thunderstorms. Special attention has been paid on open loop lines, where a possible failure in them could bring the system out of service causing significant problems. The proposed parameters that occurred by the design method and which reduce the failure rates caused by lightning, are compared with the operating transmission lines' existing design parameters showing the usefulness of the method, which can be proved a valuable tool for the studies of electric power systems designers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tumor LOH analysis provides reliable linkage information for prenatal genetic testing of sporadic NF1 patients
Authors: Serra Eduard , Pros Eva , García Carles , López Eva , Gili M. Lluïsa , Gómez Carolina , Ravella Anna , Capellá Gabriel , Blanco Ignacio , Lázaro Conxi 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe neurofibromatosis type 1 gene has one of the highest mutation rates in humans: about 50% of NF1 patients are de novo cases. Although direct mutation characterization has greatly improved over the past decade, in the context of clinical genetics services worldwide, there is still a significant number of patients for which, while fulfilling NF1 clinical criteria, no constitutive mutation is found at a desired time. This is particularly critical for prenatal genetic testing of sporadic cases. Here we describe the use of loss of heterozygosity information in neurofibromas to obtain linkage information on the affected NF1 haplotype, which may be applied for prenatal testing in sporadic patients. However, proper genetic counseling should be provided regarding the possibility of somatic mosaicism. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alterations of the sense of self and personality in Parkinson's disease
Authors: McNamara Patrick , Durso Raymon , Harris Erica 
Published: June 2007

AbstractPurposeWe hypothesized that alterations of subcomponents (‘harm‐avoidance’) of personality and the sense of Self in patients with PD would be associated with executive cognitive dysfunction.MethodsThirty‐four patients with PD and 17 age‐matched controls with chronic disease were assessed with a set of neuropsychologic, personality and mood tests as well as an experimental assessment of the sense of Self.ResultsOn personality and self tests, PD patients evidenced higher harm avoidance, lower novelty seeking scores, and lower recall rates of personally experienced events from childhood than controls and this PD personality profile was associated with poor performance on neuropsychologic tests of executive prefrontal function. PD patients, however, did not differ significantly from controls in their subjectively felt congruence between their present Selves and their hoped‐for Selves.ConclusionsWe suggest that harm‐avoidance personality and Self‐related changes of PD are due, in part, to a memory disorder associated with frontal dysfunction. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dissociation between objective psychomotor impairment and subjective sleepiness after diazepam administration in the aged people
Authors: Echizenya Masaru , Mishima Kazuo , Satoh Kohtoku , Kusanagi Hiroaki , Ohkubo Tadashi , Shimizu Tetsuo 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to clarify whether subjective sleepiness accurately reflects benzodiazepine‐related decline in psychomotor function after taking benzodiazepines (BZPs) in aged people. Subjects were eight healthy, young (mean age, 19.8 years) and seven healthy, older (mean age, 60.9 years) men. Placebo and diazepam (DZP) were administered orally in a single‐blind crossover manner to the young subjects (placebo, 5 mg DZP and 10 mg DZP) and to the older subjects (placebo and 5 mg DZP). Plasma drug concentration, choice reaction time (CRT) as an objective measure of psychomotor function, and the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS) as a measure of subjective sleepiness were monitored every 20 min from 1000 until 1600 h, being the drug administered at 1200 h. Pharmacokinetic variables did not differ significantly between the two age groups. DZP at 10 mg in young subjects induced significant increases in both the CRT and SSS score. DZP at 5 mg induced no significant increase in SSS score in either age group but did induce a significant increase in CRT only in the older subjects that matched that in young subjects given 10 mg DZP. The older subjects suffered from dissociation between subjective sleepiness and objective psychomotor impairment under DZP treatment. Such individuals may underestimate the detrimental effects on brain function. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parameter estimation in semi‐distributed hydrological catchment modelling using a multi‐criteria objective function
Authors: Rouhani Hamed , Willems Patrick , Wyseure Guido , Feyen Jan 
Published: June 2007

AbstractOutput generated by hydrologic simulation models is traditionally calibrated and validated using split‐samples of observed time series of total water flow, measured at the drainage outlet of the river basin. Although this approach might yield an optimal set of model parameters, capable of reproducing the total flow, it has been observed that the flow components making up the total flow are often poorly reproduced. Previous research suggests that notwithstanding the underlying physical processes are often poorly mimicked through calibration of a set of parameters hydrologic models most of the time acceptably estimates the total flow. The objective of this study was to calibrate and validate a computer‐based hydrologic model with respect to the total and slow flow. The quick flow component used in this study was taken as the difference between the total and slow flow. Model calibrations were pursued on the basis of comparing the simulated output with the observed total and slow flow using qualitative (graphical) assessments and quantitative (statistical) indicators. The study was conducted using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model and a 10‐year historical record (1986–1995) of the daily flow components of the Grote Nete River basin (Belgium). The data of the period 1986–1989 were used for model calibration and data of the period 1990–1995 for model validation. The predicted daily average total flow matched the observed values with a Nash–Sutcliff coefficient of 0·67 during calibration and 0·66 during validation. The Nash–Sutcliff coefficient for slow flow was 0·72 during calibration and 0·61 during validation. Analysis of high and low flows indicated that the model is unbiased. A sensitivity analysis revealed that for the modelling of the daily total flow, accurate estimation of all 10 calibration parameters in the SWAT model is justified, while for the slow flow processes only 4 out of the set of 10 parameters were identified as most sensitive. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impacts of climate variability on stream‐flow in the Yellow River
Authors: Fu Guobin , Charles Stephen P. , Viney Neil R. , Chen Shulin , Wu Joan Q. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThis paper examines the impacts of climate variability upon the regional hydrological regimes of the Yellow River in China. Results indicate that the average annual precipitation is 494·8 mm in La Niña years and only 408·8 mm in El Niño years. The difference is 86·0 mm, or 18·8% over the long‐term average. The stream‐flows in the La Niña years are higher than that in El Niño years: 9·2% at the Lan‐Zhou station, 9·5% for Tou‐Dao‐Guai station, 11·8% for Long‐Men, 17·6% for San‐Men‐Xia, 19·2% at the Hua‐Yuan‐Hou station, and 22·0% at the Li‐Jin station. Both precipitation and stream‐flow responses show temporal and spatial patterns. The relationship among the stream‐flow, precipitation, and temperature, which was obtained by ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst based on observed data, indicates stream‐flow is sensitive to both precipitation and temperature. For small precipitation increases (less than 13%), the stream‐flow percentage change is less than the precipitation change for the Yellow River. The results of this paper can be used as a reference for watershed water resources planning and management to maintain the healthy life and proper function of the river. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is fractal dispersion subdiffusive or superdiffusive? A theoretical investigation
Authors: Carlier E. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractA probabilistic approach is used to simulate particle tracking along a fractal path. The particle tracking is modelled as the sum of elementary steps with independent random variables. An exponential distribution is obtained for each elementary step and a Gamma distribution or probability density function is then deduced. The relationship between fractal dispersivity and the elementary step is given. It is theoretically demonstrated that the fractal dispersion is subdiffusive and that the linear dispersion coefficient and the linear dispersivity decrease with the mean travel distance. A review of some fractal models showing an increase of the linear dispersivity is given and an explanation that shows why these models may be not correct is proposed. It is shown that the results presented are in agreement with other studies relating to the application of the fractional calculus to diffusion transport. Lastly, a relation between the fractal dimension and the order of the fractional Langevin equation is proposed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mouse femoral intramedullary injection model: Technique and microCT scan validation
Authors: Zilber Sébastien , Epstein Noah J. , Lee Sheen‐Woo , Larsen Meegan , Ma Ting , Smith Robert L. , Biswal Sandip , Goodman Stuart B. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe murine femoral intramedullary injection model is frequently used to examine the in vivo effects of biomaterials or cancer cells. The surgical technique includes a knee arthrotomy with patellar dislocation for intramedullary access. This study examined a less invasive surgical approach of direct injection of particles via the transpatellar tendon without patellar dislocation. By using polymethylmethacrylate injection and μCT scan, we found that, compared with the traditional technique, this new approach was more reproducible, less time consuming, and achieved identical volumes of intramedullary injections. Animal morbidity and the biomechanics of the joints were also improved as a result of the simplified procedure. Furthermore, our study suggested that an intramedullary volume in excess of 10 μL can lead to major vascular filling and so should be avoided. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
The receptor attributable to C‐type natriuretic peptide‐induced differentiation of osteoblasts is switched from type B‐ to type C‐natriuretic peptide receptor with aging
Authors: Kaneki Hiroyuki , Kurokawa Minoru , Ide Hayao 
Published: June 2007

AbstractC‐type natriuretic peptide (CNP) stimulates the differentiation and inhibits the proliferation of osteoblastic lineage cells. In this study, we examined whether the effects of CNP on osteoblastic functions change with aging using calvarial osteoblast‐like cells from 25‐week‐old (young) and 120‐week‐old (aged) rats. CNP inhibited DNA synthesis and stimulated collagen synthesis and mineralized bone nodule formation. These effects were less pronounced in aged rat cells, suggesting the age‐related attenuation of CNP‐induced signaling. They were also blocked by the treatment of young rat cells with KT5823, a protein kinase G (PKG) inhibitor, but not by the treatment of aged rat cells with KT5823. CNP stimulated cGMP production in young rat cells, but not in aged rat cells. Natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR)‐B, which has a guanylyl cyclase activity domain, and NPR‐C, which has no enzyme activity domain, were predominantly expressed in young and aged rat cells, respectively. C‐ANF, an NPR‐C agonist, mimicked the effects of CNP on the proliferation and differentiation of aged rat cells; these effects were inhibited by the treatment with pertussis toxin (PTX), a Gi protein inhibitor. CNP and C‐ANF evoked intracellular levels of inositol‐1,4,5‐triphosphate and Ca2+, which are markers for phospholiase C (PLC) activation, in aged rat cells, and the effects of these two peptides were also blocked by the treatment with PTX. From these results, we concluded that CNP acts as a positive regulator of bone formation by osteoblasts and that the signaling pathway for CNP is switched from NPR‐B/cGMP/PKG to NPR‐C/Gi protein/PLC with aging. J. Cell. Biochem. 103: 753–764, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A paradox of alliance management: resource contamination in the recorded music industry
Authors: Gander Jonathan , Haberberg Adrian , Rieple Alison 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThis paper deals with the problem of resource contamination in alliances, where incompatible resources may be transferred into or accessed by partner firms, thereby devaluing their own resources. Theory explains how collaborations between organizations can allow mutually beneficial resource combinations through the transfer of, or access to, the assets and/or capabilities of each partner. Research has focused on how to facilitate intended resource transfer while limiting unplanned appropriation of other resources. Here, we address how organizations can protect themselves from contamination by their partners. Resource inimicality arises from idiosyncratic path‐dependent processes that create organizations with very different skills, assets and institutions. Thus, a paradox emerges where resources that are complementary may nonetheless be hostile if brought together in one firm: the exposure of one partner to another may erode the distinctive properties that make the partnership valuable. This paper explores this resource contamination perspective using interview data from managers of one Major music company and several smaller Independent partners. In this industry it is common for collaborations to occur between organizations whose resources are focused on the identification and creation of new artistic products, and partners whose resources exploit such products. These resources are complementary but also potentially hostile. We discuss the role of institutional structures and boundary spanners, individuals who mediate resource transfer across the organizations' boundaries, in resolving this paradox and inhibiting contamination. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.