bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The use of passive seismic protection in structural rehabilitation
Authors: Guerreiro L. , Craveiro A. , Branco M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIn the recent years, many technologies of seismic protection have been developed in an attempt to mitigate the effects of earthquakes on buildings or other structures. The most important examples of seismic protection technology are the base isolation and the use of energy dissipators. A great majority of applications of this type of seismic protection had been done in new structures, and there are already a significant number of examples of the use of these technologies in seismic rehabilitation all over the world.In this paper, the analyses of the different types of seismic passive protection and their possibilities of use in structural rehabilitation is presented. The rehabilitation of structures from the old masonry historic buildings to more recent reinforced concrete buildings is discussed.Two studies of seismic rehabilitation with passive protection are presented. The first study is the rehabilitation of an old masonry lighthouse (‘Farol dos Capelinhos’, Azores) using base isolation. This structure had been affected by an earthquake and volcano eruption and needed to be reinforced. One of the studied solutions was the use of seismic base isolation at the base of the Lighthouse tower. This study and its results are presented in the paper.The second study is the rehabilitation of an old masonry building with the use of viscous dampers. This building is an example of an important part of the existing building stock of Lisbon, commonly designated by ‘Gaioleiros’. This type of buildings were constructed in the period between the end of the 19th century and the start of the 20th century, and are composed of exterior masonry walls with wood infill panels and wooden floors. This kind of structures are particularly vulnerable to the seismic action and are objects of different studies for possible retrofit interventions.
Application of Small Molecule Microarrays in Comparative Chemical Proteomics
Authors: Molnár Eszter , Hackler László , Jankovics Tamás , Ürge László , Darvas Ferenc , Fehér Liliána Z. , Lőrincz Zsolt , Dormán György , Puskás László G. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe simultaneous identification of disease‐specific protein targets and their small molecule‐binding partners, suitable as drug candidates, could radically reduce the timeline and costs of drug discovery and development. Comparative chemical proteomics provides a novel approach to achieve this goal through rapid detection of overexpressed proteins in diseased samples by the application of small molecule microarrays. The interacting small molecules enable direct affinity‐based isolation and identification of the proteins. In the present paper we report comparative chemical proteomics studies on melanocytes and melanoma cell‐lines, which led to the identification of three overexpressed proteins together with their small molecule‐binding partner.
Global existence for a nonlinear Schroedinger–Chern–Simons system on a surface
Authors: Demoulini Sophia 
Published: October 2006

Global existence of regular solutions for a nonlinear Schroedinger–Chern–Simons system of equations on a two-dimensional compact Riemannian manifold is proved.

Résumé
L'existence d'une solution globale régulière est démontrée pour un système non-linéaire d'équations de Schroedinger–Chern–Simons sur une variété Riemannienne compacte de deux dimensions.
Thermodynamic Investigations in the System U‐Mo‐O
Authors: CHATTOPADHYAY G. , TRIPATHI S.N. , KERKAR A.S. 
Published: October 2006

The phase diagram of the system U‐Mo‐O in the region UO2‐MoO2‐O was investigated by X‐ray phase analysis and electromotive force measurements. The isothermal section at 1000 K is presented. The free energy of formation of UMoO5was determined from the oxygen potential measurement by a ZrO2.CaO solid electrolyte galvanic cell. This gave at 1000 KA redetermination of the free energy of formation of MoO2 yielded (ΔG in kJ.mol−1)for 1040 to 1290 K. The free energies of formation of three other phases were calculated using the key values from the literature, and the phase diagram obtained in the present investigation. The values at 1000 K areFrom the present investigation it was concluded that ternary phases of the system U‐Mo‐O will not play any role in the fission product‐fuel interaction, while in the nuclear waste calcine, only UMoO6 could be of importance. A vaporization study of the latter phase has been suggested.
Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder respond similarly to age‐matched controls in both speed and accuracy if goal‐directed movements are made across the midline
Authors: Smits‐Engelsman B. C. M. , Bloem‐van der Wel H. E. , Duysens J. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackground  The conventional view among many clinicians is that crossing the midline in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) results in degradation of their performance. However, no kinematic data yet exist to support this view. We therefore tested this assumption in an experimental setting.Methods  A group of age‐ and gender‐matched children with DCD (n = 48) and a group of typically developing children (n = 48) were compared while performing goal‐directed movements with a pen on a XY‐tablet. We examined whether speed or accuracy changed if the goal‐directed movements were made towards targets positioned either at the midline, the contralateral (crossed) side or the ipsilateral (uncrossed) side of the body midline.Results  Our results showed that movements in the contralateral workspace were less accurate for both groups of children in the tested age range (6–11 years). The movements made towards the targets in the midline were the fastest, and the pen pressure for movements in the ipsilateral space was the highest. However, these effects were similar for children with and without DCD. As expected, children with DCD made more errors, were slower and pressed more erratically on their pen, but this difference was irrespective of the position of their hand in the workspace.Conclusion  Crossing the midline in children with DCD for small amplitude movements (2.5 cm), as tested in this study, does not result in increased degradation of the goal‐directed movements compared with their typically developing peers. This implies that, contrary to expectation, there is no evidence for a preferential deficit in DCD in brain structures involved in making movements in the contralateral workspace.
The development and standardization of the Children Activity Scales (ChAS‐P/T) for the early identification of children with Developmental Coordination Disorders
Authors: Rosenblum S. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackground  Previous studies have emphasized the importance of early identification of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) to prevent the development of secondary academic, emotional and social manifestations of the disorder. The aim of this study was to develop a valid parent and teacher questionnaire – the Children Activity Scales for parents (ChAS‐P) and for teachers (ChAS‐T) – to identify children aged 4–8 years at risk for DCD and to examine the reliability and validity of these questionnaires.Methods  The questionnaires’ content and face validity were established, and then cut‐off scores were determined based on responses of 355 teachers and 216 parents. Internal consistencies were also calculated. Factor analyses were performed, and construct validity was determined by examining the questionnaires’ ability to discriminate between 30 children aged 5–6.5 years diagnosed with DCD and 30 typically developing children. Concurrent validity was examined by comparing questionnaire scores with those of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M‐ABC).Results  High values were obtained for internal consistency (0.96–0.94) for the ChAS‐T and the ChAS‐P respectively. Factor analysis revealed four distinct factors within the ChAS‐P and three within the ChAS‐T, reinforcing the theoretical validity of the items selected and appropriateness for identifying DCD. Construct validity was indicated by finding significant differences between the groups’ scores on the ChAS‐T and the ChAS‐P. Significant correlations between the children’s scores on the questionnaires and those of the M‐ABC confirmed their concurrent validity.Conclusions  Initial results suggest that the ChAS‐T and Chas‐P are reliable tools to identify children at risk for DCD.
Symptomatology of Epileptic Seizures in the First Three Years of Life
Authors: Hamer H. M. , Wyllie E. , Lüders H. O. , Kotagal P. , Acharya J. 
Published: October 2006

Summary: Purpose: Few data are available concerning symptomatology of epileptic seizures in infants. Methods: We reviewed 296 videotaped seizures from 76 patients aged 1–35 months (mean, 15.1 months) who underwent video‐EEG monitoring at our institution from 1988 to 1998. Seizure symptomatology was first classified based on observable behavioral and motor manifestations and then correlated with ictal EEG. Results: Four seizure types accounted for 81% of all seizures seen in this group: epileptic spasms (24%), clonic seizures (20%), tonic seizures (17%), and hypomotor seizures (20%; characterized by arrest or significant decrease of behavioral motor activity with indeterminate level of consciousness). The remaining seizures included small numbers of myoclonic, atonic, and versive seizures. All 12 focal motor seizures and all five versive seizures were associated with focal EEG seizure patterns, seen in the contralateral hemisphere in all but one patient with versive seizures. Generalized motor seizures (clinically generalized at onset) were accompanied either by focal (19 of 51; 37%) or generalized (32 of 51; 63%) EEG seizures. Hypomotor seizures also were associated with focal (14 of 20; 70%) or generalized (six of 20; 30%) EEG seizures. Four patients with generalized epileptic spasms had generalized EEG seizures in the setting of focal epilepsy based on neuroimaging, interictal EEG, and in two cases also on postresection seizure freedom. Seizure types not seen in this age group included auras, seizures with prominent automatisms (except in one case), and classic generalized tonic‐clonic seizures. Conclusions: The repertoire of seizure manifestation in the first 3 years of life appears to be limited. In infants, focal motor seizures are reliably associated with focal EEG seizures in the contralateral hemisphere, whereas generalized motor and hypomotor clinical seizures may be either focal or generalized on EEG. Epileptic spasms may be seen in focal as well as generalized epilepsies. Video‐EEG monitoring and neuroimaging may be critical for clarifying the focal or generalized nature of the epilepsy in infants.
Effect of Postconditioning on Coronary Blood Flow Velocity and Endothelial Function and LV Recovery After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: MA XIAOJING , ZHANG XINGHUA , LI CHUNMEI , LUO MAN 
Published: October 2006

Objective: Postconditioning is a novel approach to myocardial protection during ischemia reperfusion. Our study observed the effect of postconditioning on coronary blood flow velocity and endothelial function in patients who underwent emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Methods: Ninety‐four patients with their first acute myocardial infarction who underwent revascularization within 12 hours of onset by primary PCI were recruited in the study. All the patients were randomized to two groups, IR group (PCI without postconditioning) and Postcond group (PCI with postconditioning). Corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC) was used to evaluate velocity of coronary blood after PCI. Creatine phosphokinase (CK), CK‐MB, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured before and after PCI. Arterial endothelial function was studied noninvasively by examination of brachial artery responses to endothelium‐dependent and endothelium‐independent stimuli by echo Doppler technique. Wall motion score index (WMSI) was assessed by two‐dimensional echocardiography before and 8 weeks after angioplasty.
Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to age, sex, presence of angiographically visible collaterals, and elapsed time from the onset of symptoms until perfusion. Patients with postconditioning had much faster CTFC than patients without postconditioning (25.38 ± 5.35 vs 29.23 ± 5.54). After 8 weeks, the WMSI improved significantly in both groups, but the ΔWMSI in Postcond group was significantly larger than that of IR group (1.20 ± 0.30 vs 1.04 ± 0.36, P < 0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between ΔWMSI and CTFC in IR group and Postcond group (r =−0.9032, P < 0.01; r =−0.7884, P < 0.01). The peaks of CK and CK‐MB of Postcond group were much lower than that of IR group (1236.57 ± 813.21 U/L vs 1697.36 ± 965.74 U/L; 116.92 ± 75.83 U/L vs 172.41 ± 92.64 U/L), and MDA‐reactive products were significantly lower than that in the IR group at any same time after PCI. All patients with acute myocardial infarction had a depressed endothelium‐dependent vasodilation function, while the endothelium‐dependent vasodilation function was improved in Postcond group.
Conclusion: Postconditioning is a simple, operative procedure for salvaging the coronary endothelial function and cardiomyocyte. It could be used widely in clinic and to better the prognosis of acute myocardial infarction.
Mycobacteria and Fungi in Moisture-Damaged Building Materials
Authors: Torvinen Eila , Meklin Teija , Torkko Pirjo , Suomalainen Sini , Reiman Marjut , Katila Marja-Leena , Paulin Lars , Nevalainen Aino 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

In contrast to the growth of fungi, the growth of mycobacteria in moisture-damaged building materials has rarely been studied. Environmental mycobacteria were isolated from 23% of samples of moisture-damaged materials (
n
= 88). The occurrence of mycobacteria increased with increasing concentrations of fungi. Mycobacteria may contribute to indoor exposure and associated adverse health effects.
Abundance and Population Structure of Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria That Inhabit Canal Sediments Receiving Effluents from Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants
Authors: Urakawa Hidetoshi , Maki Hideaki , Kawabata Sumiko , Fujiwara Taketomo , Ando Haruo , Kawai Toshio , Hiwatari Takehiko , Kohata Kunio , Watanabe Masataka 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

A polyphasic, culture-independent study was conducted to investigate the abundance and population structure of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in canal sediments receiving wastewater discharge. The abundance of AOB ranged from 0.2 to 1.9% and 1.6 to 5.7% of the total bacterial fraction by real-time PCR and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. Clone analysis and restriction endonuclease analysis revealed that the AOB communities influenced by the wastewater discharge were dominated by
Nitrosomonas
, were similar to each other, and were less diverse than the communities outside of the immediate discharge zone.
Phylogenetic Diversity, Localization, and Cell Morphologies of Members of the Candidate Phylum TG3 and a Subphylum in the PhylumFibrobacteres, Recently Discovered Bacterial Groups Dominant in Termite Guts
Authors: Hongoh Yuichi , Deevong Pinsurang , Hattori Satoshi , Inoue Tetsushi , Noda Satoko , Noparatnaraporn Napavarn , Kudo Toshiaki , Ohkuma Moriya 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACTRecently we discovered two novel, deeply branching lineages in the domainBacteriafrom termite guts by PCR-based analyses of 16S rRNA (Y. Hongoh, P. Deevong, T. Inoue, S. Moriya, S. Trakulnaleamsai, M. Ohkuma, C. Vongkaluang, N. Noparatnaraporn, and T. Kudo, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 71:6590-6599, 2005). Here, we report on the specific detection of these bacteria, the candidate phylum TG3 (Termite Group 3) and a subphylum in the phylumFibrobacteres, by fluorescence in situ hybridization in the guts of the wood-feeding termitesMicrocerotermessp. andNasutitermes takasagoensis. Both bacterial groups were detected almost exclusively from the luminal fluid of the dilated portion in the hindgut. Each accounted for approximately 10% of the total prokaryotic cells, constituting the second-most dominant groups in the whole-gut microbiota. The detected cells of both groups were in undulate or vibroid forms and apparently resembled small spirochetes. The cell sizes were 0.2 to 0.4 by 1.3 to 6.0 μm and 0.2 to 0.3 by 1.3 to 4.9 μm in the TG3 andFibrobacteres, respectively. Using PCR screenings with specific primers, we found that both groups are distributed among various termites. The obtained clones formed monophyletic clusters that were delineated by the host genus rather than by the geographic distance, implying a robust association between these bacteria and host termites. TG3 clones were also obtained from a cockroach gut, lake sediment, rice paddy soil, and deep-sea sediments. Our results suggest that the TG3 andFibrobacteresbacteria are autochthonous gut symbionts of various termites and that the TG3 members are also widely distributed among various other environments.
Stabilization of Frozen
Lactobacillus delbrueckii
subsp.
bulgaricus
in Glycerol Suspensions: Freezing Kinetics and Storage Temperature Effects
Authors: Fonseca F. , Marin M. , Morris G. J. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

The interactions between freezing kinetics and subsequent storage temperatures and their effects on the biological activity of lactic acid bacteria have not been examined in studies to date. This paper investigates the effects of three freezing protocols and two storage temperatures on the viability and acidification activity of
Lactobacillus delbrueckii
subsp.
bulgaricus
CFL1 in the presence of glycerol. Samples were examined at −196°C and −20°C by freeze fracture and freeze substitution electron microscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to measure proportions of ice and glass transition temperatures for each freezing condition tested. Following storage at low temperatures (−196°C and −80°C), the viability and acidification activity of
L. delbrueckii
subsp.
bulgaricus
decreased after freezing and were strongly dependent on freezing kinetics. High cooling rates obtained by direct immersion in liquid nitrogen resulted in the minimum loss of acidification activity and viability. The amount of ice formed in the freeze-concentrated matrix was determined by the freezing protocol, but no intracellular ice was observed in cells suspended in glycerol at any cooling rate. For samples stored at −20°C, the maximum loss of viability and acidification activity was observed with rapidly cooled cells. By scanning electron microscopy, these cells were not observed to contain intracellular ice, and they were observed to be plasmolyzed. It is suggested that the cell damage which occurs in rapidly cooled cells during storage at high subzero temperatures is caused by an osmotic imbalance during warming, not the formation of intracellular ice.
Combinatorial Biosynthesis of Antitumor Deoxysugar Pathways in
Streptomyces griseus
: Reconstitution of “Unnatural Natural Gene Clusters” for the Biosynthesis of Four 2,6-
d
-Dideoxyhexoses
Authors: Pérez María , Lombó Felipe , Baig Irfan , Braña Alfredo F. , Rohr Jürgen , Salas José A. , Méndez Carmen 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

Combinatorial biosynthesis was applied to
Streptomyces
deoxysugar biosynthesis genes in order to reconstitute “unnatural natural gene clusters” for the biosynthesis of four
d
-deoxysugars (
d
-olivose,
d
-oliose,
d
-digitoxose, and
d
-boivinose). Expression of these gene clusters in
Streptomyces albus
16F4 was used to prove the functionality of the designed clusters through the generation of glycosylated tetracenomycins. Three glycosylated tetracenomycins were generated and characterized, two of which (
d
-digitoxosyl-tetracenomycin C and
d
-boivinosyl-tetracenocmycin C) were novel compounds. The constructed gene clusters may be used to increase the capabilities of microorganisms to synthesize new deoxysugars and therefore to produce new glycosylated bioactive compounds.
Global Surveillance of In Vitro Activity of Micafungin against
Candida
: a Comparison with Caspofungin by CLSI-Recommended Methods
Authors: Pfaller M. A. , Boyken L. , Hollis R. J. , Messer S. A. , Tendolkar S. , Diekema D. J. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

Micafungin is an echinocandin antifungal agent that has recently been approved for the prevention of invasive fungal infection and the treatment of esophageal candidiasis. Prospective sentinel surveillance for the emergence of in vitro resistance to micafungin among invasive
Candida
sp. isolates is indicated. We determined the in vitro activity of micafungin against 2,656 invasive (bloodstream or sterile site) unique patient isolates of
Candida
spp. collected from 60 medical centers worldwide in 2004 and 2005. We performed antifungal susceptibility testing according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M27-A2 method and used a 24-hour prominent inhibition endpoint for determination of the MIC. Caspofungin was tested in parallel against all isolates. Of 2,656 invasive
Candida
sp. isolates, species distribution was 55.6%
Candida albicans
, 14.4%
Candida parapsilosis
, 13.4%
Candida glabrata
, 10.1%
Candida tropicalis
, 2.4%
Candida krusei
, 1.7%
Candida guilliermondii
, 0.9%
Candida lusitaniae
, 0.6%
Candida kefyr
, and 0.9% other
Candida
species. Overall, micafungin was very active against
Candida
(MIC
50
/MIC at which 90% of the isolates tested are inhibited [MIC
90
], 0.015/1 μg/ml; 96% inhibited at a MIC of ≤1 μg/ml, 100% inhibited at a MIC of ≤2 μg/ml) and comparable to caspofungin (MIC
50
/MIC
90
, 0.03/0.25 μg/ml; 99% inhibited at a MIC of ≤2 μg/ml). Results by species, expressed as MIC
50
/MIC
90
(micrograms per milliliter), were as follows:
C. albicans
, 0.015/0.03;
C. glabrata
, 0.015/0.015;
C. tropicalis
, 0.03/0.06;
C. krusei
, 0.06/0.12;
C. kefyr
, 0.06/0.06;
C. parapsilosis
, 1/2;
C. guilliermondii
, 0.5/1;
C. lusitaniae
, 0.12/0.25; other
Candida
spp., 0.25/1. Although the species distribution varied considerably among the different geographic regions, there was no difference in micafungin activity across the regions. Micafungin has excellent in vitro activity against invasive clinical isolates of
Candida
from centers worldwide.
First Isolation of
Clostridium amygdalinum
from a Patient with Chronic Osteitis
Authors: Carlier Jean-Philippe , Manich Maria , Loïez Caroline , Migaud Henri , Courcol René J. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

We describe a case of osteitis caused by a new and unusual
Clostridium
species,
Clostridium amygdalinum
, an environmental, moderately thermophilic bacterium. This is the first documented report of human infection caused by this organism.
Evaluation of a Multiplex PCR-Based Reverse Line Blot-Hybridization Assay for Identification of Serotype and Surface Protein Antigens of
Streptococcus agalactiae
Authors: Zeng Xianyu , Kong Fanrong , Morgan Julie , Gilbert Gwendolyn L. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

A 33-primer multiplex PCR-based reverse line blot (mPCR/RLB) assay was developed to identify
Streptococcus agalactiae
serotypes and surface protein antigen genes simultaneously. It was evaluated by using 551 clinical isolates. The mPCR/RLB assay was more sensitive than conventional serotyping, especially for protein antigen typing, but otherwise the results correlated well.
Viability of
Trichomonas vaginalis
in Urine: Epidemiologic and Clinical Implications
Authors: Shafir Shira C. , Sorvillo Frank J. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

The impact of the viability of
Trichomonas vaginalis
in urine on wet mount, culture, and PCR methods was assessed. To minimize the chance of false-negative results, urine specimens should be processed within 30 min of specimen collection and maintained at 37°C, since temperature appears to affect the viability of
Trichomonas
.