bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Three single nucleotide polymorphisms leading to non‐synonymous amino acid substitution in the human ribonuclease 2 and angiogenin genes exhibit markedly less genetic heterogeneity in six populations
Authors: Ueki Misuzu , Takeshita Haruo , Fujihara Junko , Takatsuka Hisakazu , Yuasa Isao , Iida Reiko , Yasuda Toshihiro 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAngiogenin and ribonuclease 2 (RNase 2) are members of the human RNase superfamily. Although three potential single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in these genes, which could give rise to an amino acid substitution in the protein, have been identified, relevant population data are not available, and accordingly they have not been applied to clinical–genetic analysis. For this purpose, a novel genotyping method for each SNP using the mismatched PCR‐restriction fragment length polymorphism technique has been developed. Using this method, the genotype distribution of each SNP was investigated in six populations: Japanese (n = 167), Korean (n = 90), Mongolian (n = 92), Ovambos (n = 86), Turkish (n = 87), and German (n = 70). In all the populations, only one genotype was found in each SNP. Irrespective of differences in ethnic groups, the angiogenin and RNase 2 genes appear to exhibit markedly less genetic heterogeneity with regard to these SNPs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in the blood of breast cancer patients of different ages
Authors: Kasapović Jelena , Pejić Snežana , Todorović Ana , Stojiljković Vesna , Pajović Snežana B. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractOxidative stress is considered to be implicated in the pathophysiology of breast cancers. In this study we investigated the level of oxidative stress and antioxidant (AO) status in the blood of breast cancer patients of different ages. The level of lipid hydroperoxides (LP) was measured in blood plasma and the activities of copper, zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) enzymes, as well as the level of total glutathione (GSH) and CuZnSOD protein were measured in blood cells of breast cancer patients and age‐matched healthy subjects. Our results showed that breast carcinoma is related to increase of lipid peroxidation in plasma with concomitant decrease of AO defense capacity in blood cells, which becomes more pronounced during aging of the patients. Suppression of CuZnSOD activity related to breast cancer is most likely caused by decreased de novo synthesis of this enzyme. Similar patterns of suppression in CuZnSOD and CAT activities related to aging were recorded both in controls and patients. Age‐related decrease in CuZnSOD activity seems not to be caused by altered protein levels of this enzyme. Suppression of AO enzymes associated with breast cancer and aging is most likely the cause of increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our results indicate significant role of oxidative‐induced injury in the breast carcinogenesis, particularly during the later stages of aging. Overall, our data support the importance of endogenous AOs in the etiology of breast cancer across all levels of predicted risk. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Advanced glycation end products serve as ligands for lectin‐like oxidized low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐1(LOX‐1): biochemical and binding characterizations assay
Authors: Chen Xiuping , Zhang Tiantai , Du Guanhua 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAdvanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a class of complex heterogeneous compounds which accumulate with age and is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases from diabetes to atherosclerosis. AGEs serve as ligands for multiple receptors including scavenger receptor (SR‐A), CD36, and SR‐BI. Lectin‐like oxidized low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐1 (LOX‐1) plays an important role in both atherosclerosis and is found to be an endothelial cell receptor for AGEs. To explore the binding characterization of AGEs to LOX‐1, AGEs were prepared by three different reducing sugars (d‐glucose, d‐fructose, and d‐ribose) and the biochemical characterization including, free amino groups, free amine content, fructosamine residues, carbonyl content, fluorescence, and absorbance were determined. The binding activity was determined by FITC labeled AGEs using Chinese hamster ovary‐K1 cells stably transfected with human LOX‐1 gene. The obtained AGEs showed significant differences in the extent of side chain modifications, carbonyl content, fluorescence, and absorption models. All of the AGEs showed specific and saturable binding to hLOX‐1‐CHO‐K1 cells. Furthermore, dose‐dependent binding processes were observed. However, the maximal cellular binding of AGEs differs between the sugars (glucose > ribose > fructose). In addition, oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL) could significantly inhibit the binding of AGEs to LOX‐1 with different inhibitory efficiency. LOX‐1 serves as receptor for AGEs which may give some insight into the role of LOX‐1 in the pathogenesis of diabetes and related disorders. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using Virtual Patients to Improve Cardiac Examination Competency in Medical Students
Authors: Vukanovic‐Criley Jasminka M. , Boker John R. , Criley Stuart R. , Rajagopalan Shobita , Criley John Michael 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackgroundCardiac examination (CE) skills are in decline. Most prior studies employed audio recordings, evaluating only one aspect of CE (i.e., auscultation) that precluded correlation with visible observations. To address these deficiencies, we developed a curriculum using virtual patient examinations (VPEs); bedside recordings of patients with visible and audible cardiovascular findings presented as interactive multimedia.HypothesisThe purpose of this study was to evaluate whether VPEs improve CE skills, and whether any improvements are retained. We assessed CE competency overall and in 4 categories: inspection, auscultation, knowledge, and integration of audio and visual skills.MethodsStudents (n = 24) undergoing the 8‐wk Internal Medicine (IM) clerkship rotation and receiving supervised instruction with VPEs (intervention group) were compared with students (n = 58) undergoing IM clerkship rotation without supplemental CE instruction (control group). The groups were tested at the beginning and the end of their rotations.ResultsThe Intervention group improved significantly in overall mean scores: from 58.7 to 73.5 (p = 0.0001). The Control group did not improve: from 60.1 to 59.5 (p = 0.788). The Intervention group improved inspection, auscultation, and knowledge (all p ≤0.02); control group showed no improvement. Fourteen months after the study, 8 students from the intervention group were re‐tested and mean scores improved further to 83.6 without additional intervention (p = 0.004); controls showed improvement on re‐testing, but it was not significant: 65.0 (p = 0.464).ConclusionsCardiac examination inspection, auscultation, and knowledge improved by using VPEs to the level of cardiology fellows. These skills were retained 1 y later. The teaching and testing tools emphasizing the bedside use of both sight and sound, identify which CE skills needed improvement and additional training. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Variable order secant matrix technique applied to the elastic postbuckling of arches
Authors: Jayachandran Arul , White Donald W. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis paper presents the implementation of Reissner's (J. Appl. Math. Phys. 1972; 23:795–804) strain–displacement relations for a planar beam using a variable order secant matrix (VOSM) technique. The secant matrices are formed using a Taylor expansion of the strain energy and hence the order of the secant and tangent matrices to be included in the nonlinear analysis can be varied depending upon the degree of nonlinearity involved in the problem. Nevertheless, a maximum of 24 matrices is sufficient to obtain predicted internal stress resultants to within 0.2% of the converged solution in all the problems tested. Using a three‐noded isoparametric beam element, the accuracy of the VOSM method is demonstrated for the elastic postbuckling of arches. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Some invariant sums of higher‐order sensitivities
Authors: Izydorczyk Jacek , Chojcan Jan 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn this paper, a new class of invariant sensitivity sums of higher‐order sensitivities is given. Sensitivity sums considered are relevant to a network function of general lumped time‐invariant circuits containing passive and active elements. It is assumed that the circuit is linear and consists of one‐port elements and two‐port elements only. A part of the one‐port elements is described by admittance parameters and the other part by impedance parameters. The rest of the one‐port elements are independent sources. Two‐port elements are only controlled sources. Hybrid matrix should describe functional relationships of the elements. Formulas for invariant sums of sensitivities of first, second, third, and fourth order are presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Input mapping algorithm for parallel transistor structures
Authors: Nikolaidis Spiridon 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA new algorithm for mapping every possible input pattern of a parallel transistor structure to an equivalent set of normalized inputs (having the same starting and ending point) is introduced. This algorithm is based on the analysis of the operation of the transistor structure and can be used for the development of analytical timing models for CMOS circuits. Simulation results show a very good accuracy of the algorithm. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
FATT‐CTL assay for detection of antigen‐specific cell‐mediated cytotoxicity
Authors: van Baalen Carel A. , Gruters Rob A. , Berkhoff Eufemia G. M. , Osterhaus Albert D. M. E. , Rimmelzwaan Guus F. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractHere we describe a flowcytometric assay that measures the defining function of virus‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), i.e., killing viral protein expressing cells. The fluorescent antigen‐transfected target cell (FATT)‐CTL assay requires no viruses, recombinant viral vectors, or radioactive isotopes to generate CTL target cells that present naturally processed epitopes. It facilitates developing standardized applications in clinical trial settings. Plasmid vectors encoding antigen‐green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion proteins were used directly to nucleofect immortalized B cells or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Elimination of antigen‐GFP expressing cells by cloned CTL, in vitro sensitized PBMC, or ex vivo PBMC was quantified following a 4–18‐h coculture period by flowcytometry. This technology successfully detected cell‐mediated cytotoxicity in studies involving human PBMC and various viral antigens, including structural proteins of influenza A virus, and structural and nonstructural HIV proteins. Standardized protocols are currently being developed in the framework of a clinical immunotherapy trial in HIV‐infected individuals. The FATT‐CTL assay principles facilitate standardized flowcytometric detection of antigenic protein‐specific cell‐mediated cytotoxicity in many different basic research and clinical trial settings. By measuring their defining function, the FATT‐CTL assay contributes to a more complete assessment of antigen‐specific CTL responses to infection and vaccination. © 2008 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Dyslexia and developmental co‐ordination disorder in further and higher education—similarities and differences. Does the ‘Label’ influence the support given?
Authors: Kirby Amanda , Sugden David , Beveridge Sally , Edwards Lisa , Edwards Rachel 
Published: July 2008

AbstractDevelopmental co‐ordination disorder (DCD) is a developmental disorder affecting motor co‐ordination. TheDiagnostics Statistics Manual—IV classification for DCD describes difficulties across a range of activities of daily living, impacting on everyday skills and academic performance in school. Recent evidence has shown that difficulties persist into adulthood. As a consequence, increasing numbers of students are arriving at university and colleges in the UK with a diagnosis of DCD and requesting Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) to gain support. This preliminary study examined a cohort of 115 students currently in further or higher education in order to compare and contrast similarities and differences in three subgroups: those with a diagnosis of DCD, a second group with DCD and dyslexia and a third group with dyslexia only. It examines how students were supported in the past and now as students. Additionally it identifies differences in reported strengths and difficulties. A higher percentage of those with dyslexia receive DSA. All students have similar types of support not dependent on their diagnosis. The DCD only group lives at home with parents more and has a significantly greater reported motor and executive functioning difficulty than the other two groups. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Residual DC charge leakage mechanism of a transmission line under fine and dry weather conditions
Authors: Murase Hiroshi , Yoda Masayuki , Sawa Goro , Kaneko Eiji 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe decay time of residual DC charge in 500‐kV transmission line was measured during five fine and dry days of winter. The results showed a large scattering not dependent on the simultaneously observed weather conditions, such as temperature or relative humidity. The authors performed an additional experiment in a laboratory to discuss the factors that affect the residual DC charge leakage in dry conditions focusing on the moisture in the air and the dust floating in the atmosphere. It is shown that absolute humidity alone decides the decay time without scattering under clean and calm condition. The floating dust blown up by the wind, however, reduces the decay time and brings a large scattering. The dust should be a charge carrier moving freely in the atmosphere. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 165(2): 45–52, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20417
Statistical analysis of lightning surges on distribution lines based on the observation
Authors: Miyazaki Teru , Okabe Shigemitsu , Aiba Kiyoshi , Hirai Takao 
Published: July 2008

AbstractProbability distribution of surge discharging current of arresters provided a basis for conventional theory of grounding systems. In order to rationalize the grounding systems, it is necessary to grasp the statistical data of lightning surges on distribution lines caused by direct lightning strokes and indirect lightning strokes. Lightning phenomena on TEPCO's distribution lines had been continuously observed for the rationalization of lightning protection design of distribution lines. The observation had been carried out with still cameras and monitoring sensors of lightning surges. This makes it possible to discover new interesting facts that can be useful for rationalization of lightning protection design of distribution lines. Cumulative frequency distribution of conventional data is close to that of ZnO discharging current in the case of direct strokes and indirect strokes through TEPCO's observation. Moreover, to verify the cumulative current distribution in concrete poles, the authors have compared the cumulative distribution of current through ground lines with that of current through ground lines and concrete poles. The results show that the distribution of current through ground lines and concrete poles is larger than that of current through only ground lines for high currents exceeding 1 kA. This fact suggests that lightning surge current flows not only in ground lines but also in concrete poles. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 165(2): 36–44, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20468
Self‐generation vibration sensor using levitated magnet
Authors: Nishimura Kazuhiro , Inoue Mitsuteru 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis paper introduces the self‐generation vibration sensor using levitated magnet. We have verified experimentally and theoretically that this sensor is available in frequencies of 5 to 25 Hz. The frequency response of sensitivity shows the maximal value at certain frequency. These sensitivities obtained 3.9 V/G at 11 Hz for levitated magnet of neodymium and 3.0 V/G at 10 Hz for the magnet of samarium cobalt. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 165(2): 1–8, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20525
Self‐sensing active magnetic bearings with zero‐bias‐current control
Authors: Kato Yuki , Yoshida Toshiya , Ohniwa Katsumi 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA zero‐bias‐current self‐sensing active magnetic bearing is proposed. One degree‐of‐freedom (DOF) of the rotor is controlled by a pair of electromagnets which are alternatively energized by the proposed circuit. The rotor position of the one DOF is measured by using both electromagnets: the nonenergized electromagnet also contributes to the position sensing. The proposed method gives good linearity in the position estimation. The controller of the magnetic levitation consists of a digital signal processor, DSP, which compensates the nonlinearity of the magnetic force and achieves good damping. In the experiment, the rotor can run at 45,000 min‐1. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 165(2): 69–76, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20616
Space–time modeling of 20 years of daily air temperature in the Chicago metropolitan region
Authors: Im Hae‐Kyung , Rathouz Paul J. , Frederick John E. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe analyze 20 years of daily minimum and maximum air temperature data in the Chicago metropolitan region and propose a parsimonious model that describes their mean function and the space–time covariance structure. The mean function contains a long‐term trend, annual and semiannual harmonics, and physical covariates such as latitude, distance to the Lake Michigan, and winds, each interacted with the harmonic terms, thus allowing the effects of physical covariates to vary smoothly over time. The temporal correlation at a given location is described using an ARMA(1,2) model. The residuals (innovations) from this models are treated as independent replications of a spatial process with covariance structure in the Matérn class. The space–time covariance structure parameters are allowed to vary seasonally. Using the estimated covariance structure, we interpolate the temperature to a fine grid in the Chicago metropolitan region. This procedure borrows information from temporally and spatially adjacent data. The methods presented in this paper should be useful to approach other environmental problems where the data are discrete and regular in time but irregular in space. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling nasal airflow using a Fourier descriptor representation of geometry
Authors: Gambaruto A. M. , Taylor D. J. , Doorly D. J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractProcedures capable of providing both compact representations and rational simplifications of complex anatomical flow conduits are essential to explore how form and function are related in the respiratory, cardiovascular and other physiological flow systems. This study focuses on flow in the human nasal cavity. Methods to derive the cavity wall boundary from medical images are first outlined. Anisotropic smoothing of the boundary surface is shown to provide less geometric distortion in regions of high curvature, such as at the ends of the narrow nasal passages. A reversible decomposition of the surface into a stack of planar contours is then effected using an implicit function formulation. Fourier descriptors provide a continuous representation of each contour as a modal expansion and permit simplification of the geometry by retaining only dominant modes via filtering.Computations of the steady inspiratory flow field are performed for replica and reduced geometries, where reduced geometry is derived by retaining only the first 15 modes in the expansion of each slice contour. The overall pressure drop and integrated wall shear are shown to be virtually unaffected by simplification. More sensitive measures, such as the Lagrangian particle trajectories and residence time distributions, show slight changes as discussed.Comparison of the Fourier descriptor method applied to three different patient data sets indicates the potential of the technique as a means to characterize complex flow conduit geometry, and the scope for further work is outlined. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two‐stage analysis for gene‐environment interaction utilizing both case‐only and family‐based analysis
Authors: Chen Yi‐Hau , Lin Hui‐Wen , Liu Huimei 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe case‐only study and family‐based study are two popular study designs for detecting gene‐environment interactions. It is well known that the case‐only analysis is efficient, but its validity relies crucially on the assumption of gene‐environment independence in the study population. In contrast, the family‐based analysis is robust to the violation of such an assumption, but is less efficient. We propose a two‐stage study design for detecting gene‐environment interactions, where a case‐only study is performed at the first stage, and a case‐parent/case‐sibling study is performed at the second stage on a random subsample of the first‐stage case sample as well as their parents/unaffected siblings. Statistical inference procedures are developed for the proposed two‐stage study designs, which not only preserve the robustness property of the family‐based analysis, but also utilize information from the case‐only analysis to enhance estimation efficiency and testing power. Simulation results reveal both the robustness and efficiency of the proposed strategies. Genet. Epidemiol. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Haplotype associations with quantitative traits in the presence of complex multilocus and heterogeneous effects
Authors: Shibata Kyoko , Diatchenko Luda , Zaykin Dmitri V. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn genetic mapping of complex traits, scored haplotypes are likely to represent only a subset of all causal polymorphisms. At the extreme of this scenario, observed polymorphisms are not themselves functional, and only linked to causal ones via linkage disequilibrium (LD). We will demonstrate that due to such incomplete knowledge regarding the underlying genetic mechanism, the variance of a trait may become different between the scored haplotypes. Thus, unequal variances between haplotypes may be indicative of additional functional polymorphisms affecting the trait. Methods accounting for such haplotype‐specific variance may also provide an increased power to detect complex associations. We suggest ways to estimate and test these haplotypic variance contrasts, and incorporate them into the haplotypic tests for association. We further extend this approach to data with unknown gametic phase via likelihood‐based simultaneous estimation of haplotypic effects and their frequencies. We find our approach to provide additional power, especially under the following types of models: (a) where scored and unobserved variants are epistatically interacting with each other; and (b) under heterogeneity models, where multiple unobserved mutations are linked to non‐functional observed polymorphisms via LD. An illustrative example of usefulness of the method is discussed, utilizing analysis of multilocus effects within the catechol‐O‐methyltransferase gene.Genet. Epidemiol. 2008. Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.