bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A method for assessing channelization effects on riparian vegetation in a Mediterranean environment
Authors: Bombino G. , Gurnell A. M. , Tamburino V. , A. Zema D. , Zimbone S. M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis paper proposes a methodology to assess the effects of artificial embankments on riparian vegetation. It then tests the methodology on a mountain torrent system in Calabria, Southern Italy. The method delimits homogeneous reaches within which a sample of embanked and control (unembanked) sites is identified for study. Transects, subdivided into sample areas, are located in embanked and control sub‐reaches. At these transects, vegetation parameters (number of species, canopy cover of each species and vegetation layer, height of each vegetation layer, vegetation type, biological forms and ecological groups) are surveyed. Two new parameters (global canopy cover and weighted canopy height) are also proposed to give synthetic information on the global development of vegetation. A simple hydraulic index (cAb/W) is used to explore differences in riparian vegetation both along the river and according to local narrowing caused by embanking. Application of this methodology to a torrent system (locally called ‘fiumara’) illustrates a clear influence of concrete embankments in the upper and middle torrent reaches. It demonstrates that torrent narrowing induces: a decrease in the number of vegetation types with a tendency to confine the types to generally lower evolution levels and with a less marked trend between the thalweg and embankment; an increase in annual species and decrease in perennial species; and also a lower global canopy cover with, sometimes, a reduction in the weighted canopy height (WCH).This example illustrates that the methodology provides useful information concerning the impact of existing control works, which can aid the design of new works and can inform environmentally sensitive restoration of Mediterranean water courses. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predicted impact of HIV/AIDS on improved fallow adoption and rural household food security in Malawi
Authors: Thangata P. H. , Hildebrand P. E. , Kwesiga F. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractResearch was conducted to assess the impact of HIV/AIDS on improved fallow adoption and rural household food security in Malawi. An ethnographic linear programming model was created for a representative household with three scenarios: no illness, adult female illness and adult male illness. Results show that the impact of HIV/AIDS on food production depends on the patient's gender. If a male head of household is sick and later dies, available field labour is reduced as family members are expected to care for him and, consequently, less food and cash crops are produced, which creates a food insecure household. However, when a woman is sick and later dies, the effect on male labour is not as great, as males are not care‐givers. We conclude that in an HIV/AIDS environment, agroforestry adoption is more feasible in households in which available labour is undisrupted for longer periods of time. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Understanding delamination in microelectronic devices using AES, XPS and chemometrics
Authors: Piao Hong , Le Tarte Laurie , Hennessy William A. , Fairley N. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe recent development of XPS instrumentation with near‐micron spatial resolution has advanced the capability of elemental and chemical‐state imaging accompanied by small‐area analysis (down to 15 µm). In this paper, the combined use of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) at enhanced spatial resolution is shown to have significantly improved the understanding of interfacial delamination and related problems encountered in the production of electronic devices in the field of microelectronics. An example of the application of surface analysis for ITO/Mo adhesion problems will be presented. The mathematical procedure using principal component analysis (PCA) in the reduction of noise in XPS images will also be described. The dramatic improvements in the image contrast and chemical component determination from multispectral image data sets will be presented. This study is intended to explore the contributions given by advanced surface analysis tools to solve real‐world problems. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tetralogy of Fallot in the fetus in the current era
Authors: Poon L. C. Y. , Huggon I. C. , Zidere V. , Allan L. D. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractObjectivesTo compare the spectrum of tetralogy of Fallot detected recently in fetal life with that in previous reports of prenatal and postnatal experience.MethodsAll cases of tetralogy of Fallot, including those with pulmonary atresia, diagnosed between 1998 and 2005 inclusive were identified. Additional data for the 129 cases were collected, including associated congenital heart malformations, nuchal translucency measurement, karyotype and outcome.ResultsThe most common reason for referral was a suspicion of heart malformation at the routine obstetric ultrasonography scan and referrals increased during the study period. The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 20.6 weeks. The nuchal translucency measurement was above the 95th centile in 37 (47%) of the 78 fetuses in which it had been measured, and in 19/37 of the chromosomally normal fetuses. Of 112 fetuses with chromosomal analysis, 55 (49%) had anomalies, including 22q11 microdeletion in 15. There were additional extracardiac malformations in 65/129 cases (50%) and additional cardiac malformations in 73 (57%). In 70/129 (54%) cases, the parents chose termination of pregnancy. Overall survival to date in the continuing pregnancies is 77%.ConclusionsTetralogy of Fallot is increasingly recognized during routine fetal obstetric scanning. However, the spectrum of disease detected in the fetus remains biased towards those cases with extracardiac malformations and those with complex disease. As a result, even in the current era, the prognosis for the whole group of fetal cases under the diagnostic heading of tetralogy of Fallot continues to be much less favorable than would be expected of a postnatal series. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative chemical analysis of pickling solutions by x‐ray fluorescence spectrometry
Authors: Jung Sung‐Mo , Cho Young‐Mo , Na Han‐Gil , Min Dong‐Joon 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA quantitative analytical method of chlorine and iron in hydrochloric pickling solutions by x‐ray spectrometry in atmospheric He mode is proposed. This work is concerned with the replacement of the wet chemical analyses of pickling solutions with rapid and reproducible quantification by an x‐ray fluorescence spectrometer. An in‐depth investigation was performed to identify the species present in real pickling solutions. X‐ray diffraction patterns and semiquantitative results for the pickling solutions provided synthetic standards based on the compositional range of solutions by analyzing the pickling solutions obtained in real processes. Twenty‐seven liquid calibration standards were prepared by diluting standard solutions certified by wet chemical analyses for the x‐ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) calibration curves for Cl and Fe. The suggested method showed satisfactory precision and accuracy in the analysis of pickling solutions. It is possible to estimate the acidities of pickling acid solutions on the basis of the correlation between the HCl concentrations calculated from a simple XRF measurement of total Cl and Fe concentrations and those measured by acid‐base titration methods. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oxidized fatty acid‐protein complexes
Authors: Narayan K. A. , Kummerow F. A. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryComplexes have been formed between egg albumin and oxidized linoleic acid. Little or no complex formation could be obtained with unoxidized linoleic acid, oleic acid, or lauric acid. The amount of complexed linoleic acid could not be increased to more than 8.0% in spite of a long reaction time. The number of reactive groups (amino, sulfhydryl, and hydroxyl) in the protein of the complexes and in the original protein were found to be the same. The data seemed to indicate that a covalent linkage did not exist between the reactive groups of the protein and the lipide in complexes of this type. Strongly bound adsorption complexes were formed between alumina and oxidized lipides by a simple mixing technique. A possible structure on the basis of a large number of hydrogen bonds has been proposed for the lipide‐protein and the lipide‐alumina complexes and has been discussed in detail.
When is it optimal to exhaust a resource in a finite time?
Authors: Akao Ken‐Ichi , Farzin Y. Hossein 
Published: April 2007

AbstractExhaustion of a natural resource stock may be a rational choice for an individual and/or a community, even if a sustainable use for the resource is feasible and the resource users are farsighted and well informed on the ecosystem. We identify conditions under which it is optimal not to sustain resource use. These conditions concern the discounting of future benefits, instability of a social system or ecosystem, nonconvexity of natural growth function, socio‐psychological value of employment, and strategic interaction among resource users. The identification of these conditions can help design policies to prevent unsustainable patterns of resource use.
Degradation of Pesticides Wastewater by Silyl Based Cationic Surfactants
Authors: Badawi Abdelfattah M. , Ahmed Sahar M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractNew stable silayl cationic surfactants have been studied for the destruction of toxic organophosphorus pesticides. Hexadecyl, dodecyl trimethyl silane ammonium chloride or iodide surfactants were synthesized and evaluated in the degradation of pesticides such as Diazinon, Malathion or Chlorpyrifos. The hydrolytic efficiency of each surfactant was tested by measuring the kinetics of model substrates cleavage under a pseudo‐first order reaction. The iodo silayl based surfactants showed more destructive power than the chloro derivatives. Meanwhile, the hexadecyl moiety showed more effective pesticide degradation than the corresponding dodecyl moiety.
Fatty Acids in Liver, Muscle and Gonad of three Tropical Rays including Non‐Methylene‐Interrupted Dienoic Fatty Acids
Authors: Kebir Mohamed Vall Ould El , Barnathan Gilles , Gaydou Emile M. , Siau Yves , Miralles Joseph 
Published: April 2007

AbstractScientific investigation of lipids in Elasmobranchs has been conducted mainly on shark species. Because rays seem to be neglected, this study was performed to examine the complete fatty acid (FA) composition with a particular interest for long‐chain polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) content in different tissues of three ray species including parts usually discarded. The total FA and PUFA profiles of total lipids were determined in muscle, liver, and gonad of Rhinobatos cemiculus, Rhinoptera marginata, and Dasyatis marmorata, the most often caught ray species from the East Tropical Atlantic Ocean. Fifty FA were characterized as methyl esters and N‐acyl pyrrolidides by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, showing significant levels of 20:5n‐3 (EPA) (up to 5.3%) and 22:5n‐3 (DPA) (up to 7.3%), high levels of 20:4n‐6 arachidonic (ARA) (4.8–8.6% of total FA) and 22:6n‐3 (DHA) (up to 20.0%). The results show that muscle, liver and gonad of rays can provide high amounts of essential PUFA, specially DHA, for direct human nutrition or the food processing industry. High proportions of DHA were particularly found in all samples of R. cemiculus (11.6–20.0%), and in muscle and liver of D. marmorata (11.1–16.1%). Regarding the high amounts of (n‐3) PUFA, this study shows that these rays deserve a better up‐grading, including the normally discarded parts, and describes the occurrence of unusual NMID FA in all tissues studied. Five non‐methylene‐interrupted dienoic fatty acids (NMID FA) (0–3.4%) were reported, including previously known isomers, namely 20:2 Δ7,13, 20:2 Δ7,15, 22:2 Δ7,13, 22:2 Δ7,15, and new 22:2 Δ6,14. These acids are quite unusual in fish and unprecedented in rays. The 22:2 Δ6,14 acid occurred in gonads of male specimens of R. cemiculus at 2.9%.
Polyhydroxy Fatty Acids Derived from Sophorolipids
Authors: Zerkowski Jonathan A. , Solaiman Daniel K. Y. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractStarting from 17‐hydroxyoleic acid, which is readily available from acid alcoholysis of sophorolipids, several new polyhydroxy fatty acids have been synthesized. These compounds contain from 2 to 4 hydroxy groups, in some instances combined with other functional groups. The added hydroxy groups can be incorporated in the C18 chain in a variety of geometries, for example spaced widely throughout the chain at C1, C8, and C17. This regiochemical control will be of use in structure/function studies involving materials constructed from these hydroxy fatty acids. A further benefit is that the hydroxy groups can be present in protected or free states. The principal reactions used to introduce extra hydroxy groups are selenium oxide‐mediated allylic hydroxylation, osmium‐catalyzed dihydroxylation, and borohydride reduction of a carboxylic ester. These new compounds are expected to be of use in a number of areas, but particularly as building blocks for polymers or components of lubricant formulations.
Changes in expression of cell wall turnover genes accompany inhibition of chromosome segregation by bovine protein kinase C α expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Sprowl Jason A. , Villeneuve David J. , Guo Baoqing , Young Andrew J.M. , Hembruff Stacey L. , Parissenti Amadeo M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractExpression of bovine PKCα in Saccharomyces cerevisiae results in growth inhibition, which is strongly augmented upon addition of phorbol esters. To investigate the nature of this PKC‐induced inhibition of cell growth, wildtype and bovine PKCα‐expressing yeast cells were examined by flow cytometry and by fluorescence microscopy after staining with propidium iodide. Upon expression and activation of the mammalian PKC isoform, cells accumulated in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and exhibited impaired chromsome segregation. In some instances, PKC expression and activation was accompanied by a defect in septum formation between mother and daughter cells. cDNA microarray analysis revealed 4 genes (CTS1, DSE1, DSE2, and SVS1) that changed expression in both a PKCα‐ and phorbol ester‐dependent manner. These findings were confirmed by quantitative real‐time PCR. Three of these genes are involved in cell wall turnover and are regulated by a single transcription factor (Ace 2) that localizes to daughter cell nuclei after cytokinesis. Taken together, these observations suggest that expression and activation of bovine PKCα in yeast cells repress growth by inducing an accumulation of cells in G2/M, likely through an impairment of chromosome segregation, cytokinesis, and septum formation. Moreover, when these observations are taken in the context of previously published observations with various yeast null mutants, we propose that bovine PKCα may directly or indirectly activate a subunit of the PP2A phosphatase complex (cdc55), which is a component of the mitotic spindle checkpoint.
Aminoguanidine prevents fructose‐induced deterioration in left ventricular–arterial coupling in Wistar rats
Authors: Chang K‐C , Liang J‐T , Tseng C‐D , Wu E‐T , Hsu K‐L , Wu M‐S , Lin Y‐T , Tseng Y‐Z 
Published: April 2007

Background and purpose:Aminoguanidine (AG), an inhibitor of advanced glycation endproducts, has been identified as a prominent agent that prevents the fructose‐induced arterial stiffening in male Wistar rats. Our aims were to examine whether AG produced benefits on the left ventricular (LV)‐arterial coupling in fructose‐fed (FF) animals in terms of the ventricular and arterial chamber properties.Experimental approach:Rats given 10% fructose in drinking water (FF) were daily treated with AG (50 mg·kg−1, i.p.) for 2 weeks and compared with the untreated FF group. In anaesthetised rats, LV pressure and ascending aortic flow signals were recorded to calculate LV end‐systolic elastance (Ees, an indicator of myocardial contractility) and effective arterial volume elastance (Ea). The optimal afterload (Qload) determined by the ratio of Ea to Ees was used to measure the coupling efficiency between the left ventricle and its vasculature.Key results:There was a significant interaction between fructose and AG in their effects on Ea. Fructose loading significantly elevated Ea and AG prevented the fructose‐derived deterioration in arterial chamber elastance. Both fructose and AG affected Ees and Qload, and there was an interaction between fructose and AG for these two variables. Both Ees and Qload exhibited a decline with fructose feeding but showed a significant rise after AG treatment in the FF rats.Conclusions and Implications:AG prevented not only the contractile dysfunction of the heart caused by fructose loading, but also the fructose‐induced deterioration in matching left ventricular function to the arterial system.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 151, 341–346; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707223
Catecholamine outflow from mouse and rat brain slice preparations evoked by nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activation and electrical field stimulation
Authors: Scholze P , Orr‐Urtreger A , Changeux J‐P , McIntosh J M , Huck S 
Published: April 2007

Background and purpose:Mice with targeted deletions of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit genes are valuable models to study nAChR function such as catecholamine outflow by presynaptic receptor activation. Contrary to the rat, our present knowledge on presynaptic nAChRs in mice primarily relies on observations made with synaptosomes. We have now used brain slices to investigate nicotine‐induced catecholamine outflow in wild type (WT) and nAChR (β2and α5) knockout mice for a comparison with rat brain slice preparations.Experimental approach:Brain slices from rat and mouse hippocampus, parieto‐occipital neocortex, and corpus striatum were loaded with either [3H]‐noradrenaline or [3H]‐dopamine. We provoked catecholamine outflow by electrical field stimulation and nicotinic agonists.Key results:When set in relation to electrical field stimulation, nicotine‐evoked catecholamine release was sizeable in the striatum but low in the neocortex of both rats and mice. [3H]‐noradrenaline outflow was, on the other hand, substantial in the rat but low in the mouse hippocampus. About 10% (or less) of nicotine‐induced catecholamine release persisted in the presence of tetrodotoxin in all our preparations.Conclusions and implications:Targeted deletion of theβ2subunit gene essentially abolished the effect of nicotine, indicating that this subunit is an essential constituent of nAChRs that indirectly (viaaction potentials) induce catecholamine release from hippocampal and striatal slices in mice. The impact of nAChRs in catecholaminergic projection areas differs between species and has thus to be considered when extrapolating results from animal models to human conditions.British Journal of Pharmacology(2007)151, 414–422; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707236
Cell signaling pathways in the mechanisms of neuroprotection afforded by bergamot essential oil against NMDA‐induced cell death in vitro
Authors: Corasaniti M T , Maiuolo J , Maida S , Fratto V , Navarra M , Russo R , Amantea D , Morrone L A , Bagetta G 
Published: April 2007

Background and purpose:The effects of bergamot essential oil (BEO; Citrus bergamia, Risso) on excitotoxic neuronal damage was investigated in vitro.Experimental approach:The study was performed in human SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells exposed to N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA). Cell viability was measured by dye exclusion. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and caspase‐3 activity were measured fluorimetrically. Calpain I activity and the activation (phosphorylation) of Akt and glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK‐3β) were assayed by Western blotting.Key results:NMDA induced concentration‐dependent, receptor‐mediated, death of SH‐SY5Y cells, ranging from 11 to 25% (0.25–5 mM). Cell death induced by 1 mM NMDA (21%) was preceded by a significant accumulation of intracellular ROS and by a rapid activation of the calcium‐activated protease calpain I. In addition, NMDA caused a rapid deactivation of Akt kinase and this preceded the detrimental activation of the downstream kinase, GSK‐3β. BEO (0.0005–0.01%) concentration dependently reduced death of SH‐SY5Y cells caused by 1 mM NMDA. In addition to preventing ROS accumulation and activation of calpain, BEO (0.01%) counteracted the deactivation of Akt and the consequent activation of GSK‐3β, induced by NMDA. Results obtained by using specific fractions of BEO, suggested that monoterpene hydrocarbons were responsible for neuroprotection afforded by BEO against NMDA‐induced cell death.Conclusions and Implications:Our data demonstrate that BEO reduces neuronal damage caused in vitro by excitotoxic stimuli and that this neuroprotection was associated with prevention of injury‐induced engagement of critical death pathways.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 151, 518–529; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707237
Effect of oral glucose loading on endothelial function in normal-weight and overweight children
Authors: Dengel Donald R. , Kelly Aaron S. , Steinberger Julia , Sinaiko Alan R. 
Published: April 2007

The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of acute hyperglycaemia on endothelial function in both normal-weight and overweight children. A total of 16 overweight [BMI (body mass index) ≥85th percentile] and 15 normal-weight (BMI &lt;85th percentile) children were evaluated for FMD (flow-mediated dilation) at baseline and 30, 60 and 120 min after glucose ingestion. At 15 min following the measurement of the final FMD, 0.3 mg of sublingual nitroglycerine was administered and the brachial artery was imaged in order to assess endothelium-independent dilation. By design, the overweight children were significantly heavier (63.2±4.6 compared with 41.3±2.5 kg; P=0.0003) and had a greater percentage body fat (43.9±1.8 compared with 23.8±2.05%; P&lt;0.0001) than the normal-weight children. The area under the curve in response to glucose administration was significantly (P&lt;0.0001) greater in the overweight group for both glucose and insulin. The FMD area under the curve was not significantly different at baseline or between time points after glucose ingestion, nor was there a difference in response between the two groups. Endothelium-independent dilation in the normal-weight group was significantly greater compared with the overweight group (26.7±1.6 compared with 20.2±2.0% respectively; P=0.019). In conclusion, these results suggest that acute elevation of glucose and insulin in overweight and normal-weight children are not associated with impairment in endothelial function.
Nomenclature on Proteases, Proteinases, and Peptidases
Authors: Simpson Richard J. 
Published: April 2007

INTRODUCTIONIn 1984, the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) recommended the use of the term peptidase for the subset of peptide bond hydrolases (Subclass EC3.4.). The widely used term protease is synonymous with the term peptidase. Proteases comprise two groups of enzymes: endoproteases and exoproteases. This article summarizes the characteristics of the main types of proteases.