bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cortical versus spinal dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Attarian Shahram , Vedel Jean‐Pierre , Pouget Jean , Schmied Annie 
Published: February 2006

AbstractLittle is known about the possible link between cortical and spinal motor neuron dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We correlated the characteristics of the responses to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with the electromechanical properties and firing pattern of single motor units (MUs) tested in nine ALS patients, three patients with Kennedy's disease, and 15 healthy subjects. In Kennedy's disease, 19 of 22 MUs were markedly enlarged with good electromechanical coupling and discharged with great variability. Their excitatory responses increased with MU size. In ALS, 17 of 34 MUs with excitatory responses behaved as in Kennedy's disease. By contrast, 28 MUs with nonsignificant responses showed poor electromechanical coupling and high firing rates, whereas 28 MUs with inhibitory responses showed moderate functional alterations. This result indicates that in ALS as in Kennedy's disease, sprouting of corticospinal axons may occur on surviving motoneurons. A clear relationship exists between the responsiveness of MUs to TMS and their functional state. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Poly(propylene)/clay nanocomposites and their application in flame retardancy
Authors: Hu Yuan , Tang Yong , Song Lei 
Published: February 2006

AbstractPoly(propylene)/clay nanocomposites were prepared by a “one step” method, using pristine montmorillonite (MMT) with surfactant loading at different ratios. The nanocomposite structure was examined using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution electron microscopy (HREM). This study showed that the presence of maleic anhydride modified poly(propylene) (MAPP) and the ratio of surfactant to MMT both influenced the dispersion of MMT in the hybrids. The thermal stability and flame retardant property were investigated; the synergistic effect between MMT and an intumescent flame retardant and the flame retardant mechanism are discussed in this paper. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Flame‐retardant unsaturated polyester resin incorporating nanoclays
Authors: Nazaré S. , Kandola B. K. , Horrocks A. R. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThis work reports the use of polymer‐layered silicate nanoclays as potential flame retardants in unsaturated polyester resins. Preparation, characterization and flammability properties of polyester‐clay hybrids have been studied. X‐ray diffraction studies have provided evidence that dispersion of functionalized clays in the polymer matrix depends on the type of functional group of the organic modifier used. Flammability properties studied using cone calorimetry suggests that incorporation of nanoclays (5% w/w) reduces peak heat release rate (PHRR) by 23–27% and total heat release (THR) values by 4–11%. The fire growth rate index (FIGRA) is also reduced by 23–30% following nanoclay inclusion. While incorporation of condensed‐phase flame retardants such as ammonium polyphosphate, melamine phosphate and alumina trihydrate reduce the PHRR and THR values of polyester resin, the inclusion of small amounts of nanoclay (5% w/w) in combination with these char‐promoting flame retardants causes total reductions of the PHRR of polyester resin in the range 60–70%. Ammonium polyphosphate, in particular and in combination with polyester‐nanoclay hybrids show the best results compared to other flame retardants. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stress‐transfer micromechanics for fiber length with a photocure vinyl ester composite
Authors: Petersen Richard C. , Lemons Jack E. , McCracken Michael S. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe objective was to test how increasing fiber length above the critical length would influence mechanical properties and fracture crack propagation. Micromechanics considering fiber/matrix stress‐transfer was used to evaluate the results in addition to a shear debonding volume percent correction term necessary for the final analysis. Fiber lengths of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 6.0 mm with 9 μm diameters were added into a photocure vinyl ester particulate‐filled composite at a uniform 28.2 vol%. Mechanical flexural testing was performed using four‐point fully articulated fixtures for samples measuring 2 × 2 × 50 mm3 across a 40 mm span. Fiber length correlated with improved mechanical properties for flexural strength, modulus, yield strength, strain, work of fracture, and strain energy release, p < 0.001. In addition, sample fracture depth significantly decreased with increasing fiber lengths, p < 0.00001. All mechanical properties correlated significantly as predictors for fracture failure, p < 0.000001, and as estimators for each other, p < 0.0001. The stress‐transfer micromechanics for fiber length were improved upon for strength by including a simple correction factor to account for loss of fiber volume percent related to cracks deflecting around debonded fiber ends. In turn, the elastic property of modulus was shown to exhibit a tendency to follow stress‐transfer micromechanics. Polym. Compos. 27:153–169, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Static and dynamic behavior of single‐edge notched glass fabric composites
Authors: Papanicolaou G.C. , Mouzakis D.E. , Kosmidou Th.V. , Economopoulos G. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThis article describes the results of a series of tests conducted to support the development of a semiempirical model, for predicting the mechanical degradation of a satin weave glass fabric composite, with through‐thickness damage in the form of a crack‐like edge‐centered notch. Test specimens were subjected to loading in both static three‐point bending and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) tests. The effect of both notch length and displacement rate, on the static and that of notch length on the dynamic behavior of the materials tested, was evaluated and compared with respective predictions, as derived from the application of the residual property model. A satisfactory agreement between the experimental results and theoretical predictions was observed in all cases. Scanning electron microscopy was applied to observe the failure topographical characteristics of the DMTA specimens that were off‐plane loaded. POLYM. COMPOS. 27:177–183, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Use of psychotropic drugs in 0 to 5 years old children in Aquitaine (France): prevalence and associated factors
Authors: Lévy Laurie , Martin‐Guehl Corinne , Lechevallier‐Michel Nathalie , Noize Pernelle , Moore Nicholas , Latry Philippe , Fourrier‐Réglat Annie 
Published: February 2006

AbstractPurposeTo describe the use of psychotropic drugs in children aged 0–5 years, in the Aquitaine region of South‐west France and identify associated socio‐demographic, familial and medical factors.MethodsData used in this study come from the regional drug claims database of the National Health Insurance System of Aquitaine and from postal self‐questionnaires sent to parents and prescribing physicians.ResultsIn Aquitaine, psychotropic drugs were redeemed at least once in 2002 for 3.2% of young children. Hydroxyzine, niaprazide or diazepam were claimed at least once by 2.7% of children registered in the database. Prescribers were mostly general practitioners (76.7%) and pediatricians (20.1%). Psychotropic claims were more frequent in children having the highest number of medical consultations in 2002 (more than 7: odds ratio (OR) = 1.5 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3–1.7]) or of drug deliveries (7–15 deliveries: OR = 1.8 [95%CI: 1.6–2.1]; more than 15 deliveries: OR = 3.2 [95%CI: 2.7–3.9]). Psychotropic claim frequency increased with age. No association of psychotropic use with parental psychotropic use, socio‐professional category and familial situation was found.ConclusionsPsychotropic delivery prevalence in Aquitaine in young children was below 5% in 2002. It notably concerned drugs of which the use is not devoid of toxicity because of anticholinergic properties. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Feature extraction in the analysis of proteomic mass spectra
Authors: Wang Xuena , Zhu Wei , Pradhan Kith , Ji Chen , Ma Yeming , Semmes Oliver John , Glimm James , Mitchell Joseph 
Published: February 2006

AbstractFeature extraction or biomarker selection is a critical step in disease diagnosis and knowledge discovery based on protein MS. Many studies have discussed the classification methods applied in proteomics; however, few could be found to address feature extraction in detail. In this paper, we developed a systematic approach for the extraction of mass spectrum peak apex and peak area with special emphasis on noise filtration and peak calibration. Application to a head and neck cancer data generated at the Eastern Virginia Medical School [Wadsworth, J. T., Somers, K. D., Cazares, L. H., Malik, G. et al.., Clin. Cancer Res. 2004, 10, 1625–1632] revealed that the new feature extraction method would yield consistent and highly discriminatory biomarkers.
Relationship between the polymer/silica interaction and properties of silica composite materials
Authors: Guyard Aurélien , Persello Jacques , Boisvert Jean‐Philippe , Cabane Bernard 
Published: February 2006

AbstractCast film composites have been prepared from aqueous polymer solutions containing nanometric silica particles. The polymers were polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and a blend of PVA‐HPMC polymers. In the aqueous dispersions, the polymer–silica interactions were studied through adsorption isotherms. These experiments indicated that HPMC has a high affinity for silica surfaces, and can adsorb at high coverage; conversely, low affinity and low coverage were found in the case of PVA. In the films, the organization of silica particles was investigated through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small‐angle neutron scattering (SANS). Both methods showed that the silica particles were well‐dispersed in the HPMC films and aggregated in the PVA films. The mechanical properties of the composite films were evaluated using tensile strength measurements. Both polymers were solid materials, with a high‐elastic modulus (65 MPa for HPMC and 291 for PVA) and a low‐maximum elongation at break (0.15 mm for HPMC and 4.12 mm for PVA). In HPMC films, the presence of silica particles led to an increase in the modulus and a decrease in the stress at break. In PVA films, the modulus decreased but the stress at break increased upon adding silica. Accordingly, the polymer/silica interaction can be used to tune the mechanical properties of such composite films. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1134–1146, 2006
Psychological adjustment of cancer caregivers with multiple roles
Authors: Kim Youngmee , Baker Frank , Spillers Rachel L. , Wellisch David K. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractGuided by the role strain and the role enhancement theories, this study examined the effect of caregivers' multiple roles, such as being employed and taking care of minors in their household, on their psychological adjustment.Of the caregivers who completed the American Cancer Society's Quality of Life Survey for Caregivers, 457 caregivers who were middle‐aged (18–64) and provided complete data for the study variables were included in the analyses. The indicators of the outcome variables, namely, the levels of the caregivers' psychological adjustment, were cancer caregiving stress, management of meaning out of providing care, and negative and positive affect.Multivariate general linear modeling analyses revealed that employed caregivers who were also taking care of children reported higher levels of caregiving stress and negative affect. In contrast, employed caregivers who were not taking care of children reported greater levels of managing meaning of caregiving experience.The findings provide partial support for the role strain theory, that the more social roles a caregiver carries out, the more likely the caregiver is to experience stress and negative affect. The findings also suggest that when providing care for cancer survivors, caregivers may benefit from being employed. These findings have significant implications for developing targeted programs to reduce the psychological distress of cancer caregivers with multiple roles and to assist them in recognizing their caregiving experience as meaningful. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relict blockfields in the Ligurian Alps (Mount Beigua, Italy)
Authors: Firpo M. , Guglielmin M. , Queirolo C. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe area around Monte Beigua is characterized by accumulations of large blocks. Survey indicates the occurrence of flow structures on the surfaces of the blockfields, and a pattern of long axis orientation aligned in the same direction as the local gradient. Blocks are often imbricated upslope at the front. The formation of block streams is tentatively attributed to cold‐climate conditions during the Pleistocene. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expression gives prostate cancer cells a growth advantage in a physiologically relevant folate environment in vitro
Authors: Yao Veronica , Bacich Dean J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBACKGROUNDProstate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expression is correlated with stage and grade of prostate cancer suggesting that it confers a growth advantage. We studied if PSMA folate hydrolase activity provides cells a growth advantage in a low folate (LF) micro‐environment by hydrolyzing extracellular poly‐γ‐glutamated folate to a form that cells can import.METHODSProliferation of LNCaP and DU‐145 cells was assessed in media containing low (LF), physiological (PF), or high (HF) folate with or without penta‐γ‐glutamated folate and a PSMA specific folate hydrolase inhibitor, 2‐(phosphonomethyl)‐pentanedioic acid (2‐PMPA).RESULTSLNCaP cells, which express PSMA, and DU‐145 cells, which do not, displayed decreased proliferation when grown in LF or PF compared to HF media. This reduction in proliferation was eliminated in LNCaP cells when penta‐γ‐glutamated folate was added to the media. In the presence of penta‐γ‐glutamated folic acid DU‐145 cells displayed increased growth but this was still significantly lower than growth in HF medium. Addition of 2‐PMPA attenuated the increased growth seen in LNCaP cells but had no effect on DU‐145 cell growth.CONCLUSIONSThe folate hydrolase activity of PSMA may provide a growth advantage in LF and PF environments. Prostate © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The expression of xenobiotic‐metabolizing enzymes in human prostate and in prostate epithelial cells (PECs) derived from primary cultures
Authors: Al‐Buheissi S.Z. , Cole K.J. , Hewer A. , Kumar V. , Bryan R.L. , Hudson D.L. , Patel H.R. , Nathan S. , Miller R.A. , Phillips D.H. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBACKGROUNDDietary heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are carcinogenic in rodent prostate requiring activation by enzymes such as cytochrome P450 (CYP) and N‐acetyltransferase (NAT).METHODSWe investigated by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry the expression of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and NAT1 in human prostate and in prostate epithelial cells (PECs) derived from primary cultures and tested their ability to activate the dietary carcinogen 2‐amino‐3‐methylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoline (IQ) and its N‐hydroxy metabolite (N‐OH‐IQ) to DNA‐damaging moieties.RESULTSWestern blotting identified CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and NAT1. Immunohistochemistry localized NAT1 to the cytoplasm of PECs. Inter‐individual variation was observed in the expression levels of CYP1A1, 1A2, and NAT1 (11, 75, and 35‐fold, respectively). PECs expressed CYP1A1 and NAT1 but not CYP1A2. When incubated with IQ or N‐OH‐IQ, PECs formed DNA adducts indicating their ability to metabolically activate these compounds.CONCLUSIONSProstate cells possess the capacity to activate dietary carcinogens. PECs may provide a useful model system to study their role in prostate carcinogenesis. Prostate © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structures of intact glycoproteins from vibrational circular dichroism
Authors: Shanmugam Ganesh , Polavarapu Prasad L. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractVibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra for the glycoproteins α1‐acid glycoprotein (AGP) and bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM), have been measured in D2O solutions and for the films prepared from aqueous (H2O) buffer solutions in the 1800 to 900 cm−1 region. The solution VCD results revealed that AGP has β‐sheet structure, along with a significant amount of α‐helix as evidenced from a W pattern in the amide I region. The VCD of BSM solution suggested a polyproline II type structure, characterized by the appearance of strong negative couplet in the amide I region. The film VCD results on AGP and BSM suggested that the secondary structures of polypeptide fold in the film state are similar to those in the solution. The absence of any significant film VCD in the low frequency region (1200–900 cm−1), suggested that the dominant linkage for carbohydrate residues is likely to be a β linkage. VCD spectroscopy gains importance in the secondary structural analysis of polypeptide fold in glycoproteins due to the absence of interfering VCD from the carbohydrate residues in the conformationally sensitive amide I region. Also, film VCD studies permit measurements in the low wavenumber region (1200–900 cm−1) that reveal the dominant type of linkage for carbohydrate residues. Such clear structural information is unlike that from ECD, where ECD bands of acylated amino sugar residues interfere with those of polypeptide backbone in the conformationally sensitive far‐UV region. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Crystal structure of VC0702 at 2.0 Å: Conserved hypothetical protein from Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Ni Shuisong , Forouhar Farhad , Bussiere Dirksen E. , Robinson Howard , Kennedy Michael A. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractVC0702, a conserved hypothetical protein of unknown function from Vibrio cholerae, resides in a three‐gene operon containing the MbaA gene that encodes for a GGDEF and EAL domain‐containing protein which is involved in regulating formation of the extracellular matrix of biofilms in Vibrio cholerae. The VC0702 crystal structure has been determined at 2.0 Å and refined to Rwork = 22.8% and Rfree = 26.3%. VC0702 crystallized in an orthorhombic crystal lattice in the C2221 space group with dimensions of a = 66.61 Å, b = 88.118 Å, and c = 118.35 Å with a homodimer in the asymmetric unit. VC0702, which forms a mixed α + β three‐layered αβα sandwich, belongs to the Pfam DUF84 and COG1986 families of proteins. Sequence conservation within the DUF84 and COG1986 families was used to identify a conserved patch of surface residues that define a cleft and potential substrate‐binding site in VC0702. The three‐dimensional structure of VC0702 is similar to that of Mj0226 from Methanococcus janeschii, which has been identified as a novel NTPase that binds NTP in a deep cleft similarly located to the conserved patch of surface residues that define an analogous cleft in VC0702. Collectively, the data suggest that VC0702 may have a biochemical function that involves NTP binding and phosphatase activity of some kind, and is likely involved in regulation of the signaling pathway that controls biofilm formation and maintenance in Vibrio cholerae. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Theoretical model of restriction endonuclease HpaI in complex with DNA, predicted by fold recognition and validated by site‐directed mutagenesis
Authors: Skowronek Krzysztof J. , Kosinski Jan , Bujnicki Janusz M. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractType II restriction enzymes are commercially important deoxyribonucleases and very attractive targets for protein engineering of new specificities. At the same time they are a very challenging test bed for protein structure prediction methods. Typically, enzymes that recognize different sequences show little or no amino acid sequence similarity to each other and to other proteins. Based on crystallographic analyses that revealed the same PD‐(D/E)XK fold for more than a dozen case studies, they were nevertheless considered to be related until the combination of bioinformatics and mutational analyses has demonstrated that some of these proteins belong to other, unrelated folds PLD, HNH, and GIY‐YIG. As a part of a large‐scale project aiming at identification of a three‐dimensional fold for all type II REases with known sequences (currently ∼ 1000 proteins), we carried out preliminary structure prediction and selected candidates for experimental validation. Here, we present the analysis of HpaI REase, an ORFan with no detectable homologs, for which we detected a structural template by protein fold recognition, constructed a model using the FRankenstein monster approach and identified a number of residues important for the DNA binding and catalysis. These predictions were confirmed by site‐directed mutagenesis and in vitro analysis of the mutant proteins. The experimentally validated model of HpaI will serve as a low‐resolution structural platform for evolutionary considerations in the subgroup of blunt‐cutting REases with different specificities. The research protocol developed in the course of this work represents a streamlined version of the previously used techniques and can be used in a high‐throughput fashion to build and validate models for other enzymes, especially ORFans that exhibit no sequence similarity to any other protein in the database. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Incident investigation of an explosion at a styrene plant
Authors: Wiff Daniel 
Published: February 2006

AbstractOn June 11, 2003, an explosion occurred in the natural gas‐fired ethyl benzene reboiler at a styrene plant in Bayport, Texas. The incident occurred while the air damper and registers were being adjusted to stabilize the flame and the excess oxygen content of the stack discharge. Following the rupture of the heater housing, fire erupted in the radiant section and the inlet header. The fire burned for three‐and‐one‐half hours as ethyl benzene continued to feed the fire from return piping connected to the ethyl benzene column. The reboiler was completely destroyed. This article summarizes how it was determined what evidence to collect; how initial evidence was collected soon after the incident; how the physical evidence was preserved during the “make safe” and demolition stages; and how evidence was staged and protected after demolition. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2006
Uptake, translocation and metabolism of the herbicide florasulam in wheat and broadleaf weeds
Authors: deBoer Gerrit J , Thornburgh Scott , Ehr Robert J 
Published: February 2006

AbstractFlorasulam is a triazolopyrimidine sulfonanilide post‐emergence broadleaf herbicide for use in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The selectivity of florasulam to wheat has been determined to be related primarily to a differential rate of metabolism between wheat with a half‐life of 2.4 h and broadleaf weeds with half‐lives ranging from 19 to >48 h. To a lesser extent, selectivity, at least for the broadleaf weed cleavers (Galium aparine L.), involves uptake differences. Rate of metabolism data were generated using greenhouse‐grown plants injected with radiolabelled florasulam and subsequent extraction and processing by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Structures of metabolites were determined by isolation for nuclear magnetic resonance and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Wheat plants metabolised florasulam by hydroxylation of the aniline ring para to the nitrogen, followed by conjugation to glucose. Metabolism by broadleaf weeds was so slow that isolation of metabolite was not possible, but comparison of HPLC data suggested hydroxylation as the major pathway. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry