bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of human lactic acid (LAB) gastrointestinal microbiota in a Greek rural population
Authors: Vassos Dimitrios , Maipa Vassiliki , Voidarou Chrysa , Alexopoulos Athanasios , Bezirtzoglou Eugenia 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
In order to investigate the Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) of the gut, fecal samples were collected and analyzed from 120 healthy Greek volunteers ranging from age 1 to age 85, all of whom declared daily consumption of local fermented dairy products. LAB strains were isolated using selective media under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Identification of the isolates was based on their growth patterns, morphological characteristics, and carbohydrate fermentation profiles. There was no significant difference in the abundance of Lactobacillus brevis, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacilus paracasei and Bifidobacterium sp., in all samples. Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactococcus casei, Lactococcus pentosus, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, Lactococcus delbrueckii subsp. lactis, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus avium and Leuconostoc sp. were also recovered, mainly from the adults and elders rather than the children’s group. Despite the above differences in LAB species observed mostly between the younger and the other two age groups, differences were also observed within all groups, indicating that healthy subjects of all ages are colonized by a diverse lactoflora in terms of total or dominant species.
In vitro behaviour of osteoblast cells seeded into a COL/β-TCP composite scaffold
Authors: Oprita Elena , Moldovan Lucia , Craciunescu Oana , Zarnescu Otilia 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of a collagen/β-tricalcium phosphate (COL/β-TCP) composite on osteoblast growth and proliferation. The COL/β-TCP composite was prepared by mixing COL type I with β-TCP, in 1:1 (w/w) ratio and conditioned as sponge by freeze-drying. The osteoblast culture was obtained from rat calvaria bones by enzymatic digestion and cells were seeded in the COL/β-TCP composite. The cell morphology and viability, alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin, as markers of osteoblast proliferation were evaluated at 3, 7 and 25 days of culture. Histological sections revealed that cell colonization progressively increased inside the COL/β-TCP scaffold, and osteoblasts had a random distribution throughout the scaffold. Cells cultured into the COL/β-TCP scaffold presented osteoblast phenotype, intense staining of alkaline phosphatase and increased production of osteocalcin. Transmission electron micrographs revealed intimate contacts between osteoblasts and the scaffold. MTT test indicated that the viability of the cells cultivated in the presence of COL/β-TCP scaffold was similar to that of the control. All these results show that our COL/β-TCP composite act as a good substrate for rat osteoblast proliferation and migration and could be a promising substitute for bone repair.
Application of Admissions Criteria to Applicants with Practice versus Non-Practice Career Goals in North American Schools/Colleges of Veterinary Medicine
Authors: Van Vleet John F. 
Published: January 2008

Purpose – The study was intended to determine whether North American veterinary schools/colleges apply admissions criteria differently to applicants with practice versus non-practice career goals. Methodology – A written questionnaire with seven queries on admissions criteria was sent to the associate deans for academic affairs at each of the 31 North American veterinary schools/colleges. Results – Questionnaires were completed and returned by 25 of the 31 institutions. The responses were summarized and individual comments were compiled. For veterinary and animal experience, similar amounts but different types of experiences were acceptable to most institutions for applicants with practice versus non-practice career goals. The required pre-veterinary course work was not different for the two groups of applicants. The backgrounds of mentors providing written evaluations were often allowed to be different for the two groups of applicants. The responses expected in applicant interviews were different for the two groups for queries related to veterinary and career experiences and knowledge of specific career areas but were similar for various basic qualities and skills expected of all applicants. Conclusion – Although institutions vary, North American veterinary schools/colleges tend to apply admissions criteria differently to applicants with practice versus non-practice goals, except for pre veterinary course requirements.
CaCo3 supported Co‐Fe catalysts for carbon nanotube synthesis in fluidized bed reactors
Authors: See Chee Howe , Harris Andrew T. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on a cobalt‐iron (Co‐Fe) catalyst supported on a calcium carbonate (CaCO3) substrate, contained within a fluidized bed was investigated for the first time. CaCO3 supported catalysts, prepared using traditional wet impregnation techniques result in a soft and sticky powder requiring special arrangements to ensure satisfactory fluidization. A modified method developed using citric acid complex resulted in CaCO3 supported catalysts that can be classically fluidized without special arrangements. The issue of Fe3+ (aq) hydrolysis above its critical pH of ∼3.5 was also addressed. A carbon yield consistently greater than 10 times the weight of the catalyst metal loading was obtained. Thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry showed a single peak centered on 575°C, with no peaks below 400°C, indicating that an insignificant quantity of amorphous carbon was present. Transmission electron microscopy verified that the products contained a large proportion of CNTs. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J 2008
Consistency of kernel‐based quantile regression
Authors: Christmann Andreas , Steinwart Ingo 
Published: January 2008

AbstractQuantile regression is used in many areas of applied research and business. Examples are actuarial, financial or biometrical applications. We show that a non‐parametric generalization of quantile regression based on kernels shares with support vector machines the property of consistency to the Bayes risk. We further use this consistency to prove that the non‐parametric generalization approximates the conditional quantile function which gives the mathematical justification for kernel‐based quantile regression. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heat capacity changes associated with guanine quadruplex formation: An isothermal titration calorimetry study
Authors: Majhi Pinaki R. , Qi Jianying , Tang Chung‐Fei , Shafer Richard H. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThis study addresses the temperature dependence of the enthalpy of formation for several unimolecular quadruplexes in the presence of excess monovalent salt. We examined a series of biologically significant guanine‐rich DNA sequences: thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) (d(G2T2G2TGTG2T2G2), PS2.M, a catalytically active aptamer (d(GTG3TAG3CG3T2G2)), and the human telomere repeat (HT) (d(AG3(T2AG3)3)). Using CD spectra and UV melting, we confirmed the presence of quadruplex structures and established the temperature range in which quadruplex conformation is stable. We then performed ITC experiments, adding DNA to a solution containing excess NaCl or KCl. In this approach, only several additions are made, and only the enthalpy of quadruplex formation is measured. This measurement was repeated at different temperatures to determine the temperature dependence of the enthalpy change accompanying quadruplex formation. To control for the effect of nonspecific salt interactions during DNA folding, we repeated the experiment by replacing the quadruplex‐forming sequences with a similar but nonfolding sequence. Dilution enthalpies were also subtracted to obtain the final enthalpy value involving only the quadruplex folding process. For all sequences studied, quadruplex formation was exothermic but with an increasing magnitude with increasing temperature. These results are discussed in terms of the change in heat capacity associated with quadruplex formation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 89: 302–309, 2008.This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Management of a group of distributed generators aimed at cooperation with the bulk power system
Authors: Tanaka Koichi , Kita Hiroyuki , Tanaka Eiichi , Hasegawa Jun 
Published: January 2008

AbstractRecently, the basic framework of electric power systems has been changed significantly by deregulation of electric power industry. Also, distributed generators (DGs) such as renewable energy generations, co‐generations, and energy storage systems have been introduced into the demand sides not only for saving energy and the global environment, but also for compensating voltage drops and supply interruption. In the future power systems, a lot of small‐sized DGs will supply the electricity with existing large‐scale generators under a competitive environment. In this context, it is desirable that DGs contribute to stable, reliable and economic operations by coordinating with existing large‐scale generators. For example, power from large‐scale generators could be leveled if DGs are operated during the peak period. Also, ancillary services such as frequency control, voltage control, and supply of reserve capacity could be executed by controlling DGs directly or indirectly. Under these circumstances, the authors have proposed a new power distribution system: Flexible, Reliable and Intelligent ENergy Delivery System (FRIENDS). This paper investigates some kinds of power supply systems which coordinate DGs with existing large‐scale generators including the concept of FRIENDS and considering how DGs are managed. The effects of DGs which contribute to supply the energy and/or the reserve in every power system are evaluated. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 163(1): 48–56, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20358
Levitation and guidance characteristics of permanent magnet–HTSC hybrid magnetic conveyance system
Authors: Ohashi Shunsuke , Dodo Daiki 
Published: January 2008

AbstractA hybrid magnetically levitated transportation system has been developed. The magnetic rail is set on the ground, and a carrier with permanent magnets and high‐Tc superconductors (HTSC) levitates on the rail. In this system, the pinning force of the HTSC and the repulsive force of permanent magnet are combined. The repulsive force of the permanent magnet is introduced to support the weight. The pinning force is used to support the weight of the carrier body and to achieve lateral stability of the carrier. To decrease the influence of weight on the levitation gap of the carrier, the weight stage is fixed to the carrier body by linear sliders, and moves freely in the vertical direction. As a result, there is little influence of the carrier body on the levitation gap. The basic levitation and guidance characteristics of the system are presented. The repulsive force generates a very large levitation force. It also generates an unstable lateral force. Weight added to the weight stage has some influence on lateral stability. Although lateral position recovery force due to the pinning effect decreases at heavier weights, the carrier produces enough force to maintain lateral stability. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 163(1): 73–79, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20631
Active oxygen generator by silent discharge and oxidation power in formation of oxide thin films
Authors: Tanaka Masaaki , Kawagoe Yasuyuki , Tsukazaki Hisashi , Yamanishi Kenichiro 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe authors have studied the low‐pressure silent‐discharge‐type active oxygen generator in terms of its application to the formation of oxide thin films. In this paper the oxidation power of active oxygen in the formation of oxide thin films is compared with that of oxygen and ozone by forming silicon oxide thin films. The authors confirmed that the oxidation power is active oxygen>ozone>oxygen based on the experimental result of the number of x in SiOx thin films. Furthermore, the authors applied active oxygen to the formation of the thin‐film high‐temperature superconductor and active oxygen was found to be effective for the formation of the thin film with high performance. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 163(1): 1–7, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20671
Soluble Gold and Palladium Complexes Heterogenized on MCM‐41 Are Effective and Versatile Catalysts
Authors: González‐Arellano Camino , Corma Avelino , Iglesias Marta , Sánchez Félix 
Published: January 2008

AbstractChiral Schiff base–gold and –palladium complexes were immobilized on ordered mesoporous silica supports (MCM‐41), and their catalytic hydrogenation ability is studied and compared with that of their homogeneous counterparts. The high accessibility introduced by the structure of the supports allows the preparation of highly efficient immobilized catalysts with TOFs of up to 6000 h–1 for the hydrogenation of diethyl itaconate. The easily recoverable immobilized catalysts duplicate the activity of their homogeneous analogues, and no deactivation of the catalysts is observed after repeated recycling. Gold(III) homogeneous or heterogenized complexes also catalyze the homocoupling of arylboronic acids or alkynes to afford symmetrical biaryls, whereas the respective gold(I) and palladium(II) complexes catalyze the corresponding cross‐coupling reaction.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Anodic Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Lead in Tap Water at an Ordered Mesoporous Carbon/Nafion Composite film Electrode
Authors: Zhu Liande , Tian Chunyuan , Yang Ruilan , Zhai Jiangli 
Published: January 2008

AbstractA sensitive mercury‐free lead (Pb2+) sensor has been proposed based on an ordered mesoporous carbon and Nafion composite film (OMC/Nafion) coated glassy carbon electrode. The analysis of Pb2+ using anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) includes two steps. Pb2+ ions are firstly reduced and deposited on the electrode surface in a Pb2+ solution (10 mL) during a preconcentration step biased at −1.0 V, followed by a measurement step by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) within the potential range of −0.8 to −0.3 V (scan rate: 20 mV/s, frequency: 20 Hz, amplitude: 50 mV, pulse width: 50 ms). Linear calibration curve was found to be from 20 nM to 2 μM for Pb2+ with a sensitivity of 17.4±1.38 μA/μM after a 5‐min of preconcentration. The detection limit was estimated to be around 4.60±0.12 nM at the signal to noise ratio of 3. Reproducibility (RSD%) was found to be 3.0% for a single sensor with eight measurements and 4.3% for five sensors prepared with identical procedures. The practical application of the proposed lead sensor was verified by determination of trace level of Pb2+ in tap water sample.
A further note on the optimality of the OLS hedge strategy
Authors: Lien Donald 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThis note considers the hedging effectiveness of a dynamic hedge strategy as compared to the conventional OLS strategy. The conditions for the superiority of the OLS strategy are identified. It is argued that these conditions are frequently satisfied and therefore one expects to find the dominance of the OLS strategy over any dynamic strategy in the empirical work. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 28:308–311, 2008
Closed‐form option pricing formulas with extreme events
Authors: Câmara António , Heston Steven L. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThis paper explores the effect of extreme events or big jumps downwards and upwards on the jump‐diffusion option pricing model of Merton (1976). It starts by obtaining a special case of the jump‐diffusion model where there is a positive probability of a big jump downwards. Then, it obtains a new limiting case where there is an asymptotically big jump upwards. The paper extends these models to allow both types of jumps. In some cases these formulas nest Samuelson's (1965) formulas. This simple analysis leads to several closed‐form solutions for calls and puts, which are able to generate smiles, and skews with similar shapes to those observed in the marketplace. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 28:213–230, 2008
Intraday behavior of market depth in a competitive dealer market: A note
Authors: Frino Alex , Lepone Andrew , Wearin Grant 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThis study is the first to examine the intraday behavior of quoted depth in a competitive dealer market. In sharp contrast to previous research that focuses on specialist markets, quoted depth is lowest at the open of trading, plateaus around the middle of the day, and then dramatically increases in the final hours of trading, peaking at the close. This peak in quoted depth coincides with a narrowing in bid‐ask spreads, and is contrary to intraday patterns documented for specialist markets. The authors conclude that the increase in depth and narrowing of bid‐ask spreads at the close is driven by dealers rebalancing inventories to achieve target inventory levels in a competitive market. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 28:294–307, 2008
A feasibility and tolerability study of lithium in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Macdonald Alastair , Briggs Kate , Poppe Michaela , Higgins Andrea , Velayudhan Latha , Lovestone Simon 
Published: January 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the safety and feasibility of prescribing long term lithium to elderly people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD).MethodsAn open label treatment group with low dose lithium for up to 1 year with the Lithium Side Effects Rating Scale as the primary outcome measure. A comparison group matched for cognition and age not receiving lithium therapy.ResultsTwenty‐two people with AD initiated lithium. Fourteen participants discontinued therapy after a mean of 16 weeks of treatment compared to the 39 weeks for those continuing to take treatment at the end of the study. Three patients discontinued treatment due to possible side effects that abated on ceasing therapy. The reports of side effects on the primary outcome scale did not differ between those discontinuing therapy and those remaining in the study. Two patients died whilst receiving lithium––in neither case was the treatment felt to be related to cause of death. There was no difference in deaths, drop outs or change in MMSE between those receiving lithium and the comparison group.ConclusionsLithium treatment in elderly people with AD has relatively few side effects and those that were apparently due to treatment were mild and reversible. Nonetheless discontinuation rates are high. The use of lithium as a potential disease modification therapy in AD should be explored further but is not without problems. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Developmental path between language and autistic‐like impairments: a twin study
Authors: Dworzynski Katharina , Ronald Angelica , Hayiou‐Thomas Marianna E. , McEwan Fiona , Happé Francesca , Bolton Patrick , Plomin Robert 
Published: January 2008

AbstractAutism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are diagnosed when individuals show impairments in three behavioural domains: communication, social interactions, and repetitive, restrictive behaviours and interests (RRBIs). Recent data suggest that these three sets of behaviours are genetically heterogeneous. Early language delay is strongly associated with ASD, but the basis for this association and the relationship with individual sub‐domains of ASD has not been systematically investigated. In the present study, data came from a population‐based twin sample with language development data at 2–4 years, measured by the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory (MCDI), and data at 8 years using the Childhood Asperger Syndrome Test (CAST). For the total CAST and the three subscales at 8 years, approximately 300 same‐sex twin pairs were selected as showing extreme autistic‐like traits (ALTs), defined here as pairs in which at least one member of the twin pair scored in the highest 5% of the distribution. Phenotypic analyses indicated that children showing extreme social and communication ALTs (but not the RRBI subscale) at 8 years were below average in language development at 2–4 years. A regression model for selected twin data suggested that genetic influences account for this overlap, but that these effects are only in part mediated by genes that are shared between language and extreme autistic traits. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Apoptosis of estrogen‐receptor negative breast cancer and colon cancer cell lines by PTPα and src RNAi
Authors: Zheng Xinmin , Resnick Ross J. , Shalloway David 
Published: January 2008

AbstractWe show that siRNA‐mediated suppression of protein tyrosine phosphatase α (PTPα) reduces Src activity 2 to 4‐fold in breast, colon and other human cancer cell lines. Src and PTPα RNAi induced apoptosis in estrogen receptor (ER)‐negative breast cancer and colon cancer cells, but not in immortalized noncancerous breast cells, ER‐positive breast cancer cells or other cancer cell types tested. RNAi of other Src family members (Fyn and Yes) or of PTP1B, a phosphatase previously suggested to be an activator of Src in breast cancer, had no effect. Although further tests with primary tumor tissues are required, the unexpected correlation between ER status and Src/PTPα dependence in breast cancer cell lines may be important for planning therapeutic strategies, and the insensitivity of normal breast cells to the RNAi highlights the potential of PTPα, which may be easier to target than Src, as a therapeutic target in ER‐negative breast cancer. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
hGPR87 contributes to viability of human tumor cells
Authors: Glatt Sebastian , Halbauer Daniel , Heindl Stefan , Wernitznig Andreas , Kozina Daniela , Su Kuan‐Chung , Puri Christina , Garin‐Chesa Pilar , Sommergruber Wolfgang 
Published: January 2008

AbstractEmerging in vitro and in vivo data underline the crucial role of G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) in tumorigenesis. Here, we report the contribution of hGPR87, a predicted member of the P2Y subfamily of GPCRs, to proliferation and survival of human tumor cell lines. hGPR87 mRNA transcript was found to be preferentially overexpressed in squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of different locations and in their lymph node metastases. Up‐regulation of both, transcript and protein, was detected in samples of SCC of the lung, cervix, skin and head and neck (pharynx, larynx and epiglottis). In addition to the expression of hGPR87 in tumors which originate from stratified epithelia, we identified other hGPR87‐positive tumor types including subsets of large cell and adenocarcinomas of the lung and transitional cell carcinomas of the urinary bladder. Loss of function studies using siRNA in human cancer cell lines lead to antiproliferative effects and induction of apoptosis. Like other known P2Y receptors, hGPR87 was found to be mainly located on the cell surface. The overexpression of hGPR87 preferentially in SCCs together with our functional data suggests a common molecular mechanism for SCC tumorigenesis and may provide a novel intervention site for mechanism‐based antitumor therapies. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.