bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Advanced Preparative Strategies for Activated Carbons Designed for the Adsorptive Storage of Hydrogen
Authors: Celzard A. , Fierro V. , Marêché J.F. , Furdin G. 
Published: January 2008

Since air quality is a major public health concern, especially in urban areas, the use of alternative fuels for vehicular applications has been strongly encouraged. Of these fuels, hydrogen is the only one that can produce zero emission through fuel cells. However, the storage of such a very light and highly combustible gas has yet to be solved. Only adsorption storage is discussed in the present paper. It should be recalled that no material has been capable of meeting the recommended targets to date. Recent progresses in preparing suitable carbon structures for hydrogen storage are described, and new routes for characterising and correspondingly improving the micropore texture are explored.
Occupational risk factors for non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma: A population‐based case–control study in Northern Germany
Authors: Richardson David B. , Terschüren Claudia , Hoffmann Wolfgang 
Published: January 2008

AbstractObjectivesTo identify occupational factors associated with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).MethodsA population‐based case–control study was conducted in which incident cases of high‐malignancy NHL (NHLhigh), low‐malignancy NHL (NHLlow), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) were ascertained during the period 1986–1998 among men and women aged 15–75 years residing in six German counties; controls were drawn from population registries. Occupational histories were collected and agent‐specific exposures were estimated via a job‐exposure‐matrix. Odds ratios were estimated by conditional logistic regression.ResultsA total of 858 cases were included in these analyses. Agricultural workers [odds ratio (OR) = 2.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.99, 7.21) and farmers (OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 0.98, 3.98] had elevated risk of NHLhigh. Risk of NHLlow was elevated among agricultural workers (OR = 2.46, 95% CI: 1.17, 5.16), and among blacksmiths, toolmakers, and machine tool operators (OR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.31, 7.47). Workers in sales and construction had elevated risks of NHLhigh and NHLlow. Exposure to arsenic compounds, chlorophenols, diesel fuel, herbicides, nitrites/nitrates/nitrosamines, and organic dusts were associated with NHLhigh and NHLlow, while exhibiting little association with CLL. A positive monotonic trend in NHLlow risk across tertiles of cumulative diesel fuel exposure was observed [P‐value for test of linear trend (P) = 0.03].ConclusionsThese findings provide insights into several potential occupational risk factors for NHL and suggest some specific occupational agents for further investigation. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:258–268, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association between trypotphan hydroxylase 2, performance on a continuance performance test and response to methylphenidate in ADHD participants
Authors: Manor Iris , Laiba Efrat , Eisenberg Jacques , Meidad Sheera , Lerer Elad , Israel Salomon , Gritsenko Inga , Tyano Sam , Faraone Stephen V. , Ebstein Richard P. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe main objective of this study was to examine neuropsychological mechanisms mediating the association between tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A continuous performance test (T.O.V.A.) was administered to 344 participants diagnosed with DSM IV ADHD who were also genotyped for eight TPH2 intronic SNPs. Association between TPH2 (single SNPs and haplotypes), ADHD, and performance on the T.O.V.A. were tested using robust family‐based association tests as implemented in two statistical genetic programs: UNPHASED and PBAT. Association was only observed between an eight locus haplotype and ADHD DSM IV combined type III (global P = 0.036). Robust association was observed between TPH2 single SNPs (and haplotypes) and performance on the T.O.V.A., especially Errors of Omission (eight locus haplotypes, global P = 0.038). Significant associations were also observed between TPH2 and improvement (before–after scores) in T.O.V.A. Total Response Variability scores following acute methylphenidate challenge (eight locus haplotypes, global P = 0.009). Using the MFBAT program, significant multivariate association was observed between single SNPs and haplotypes [eight locus haplotypes and all four T.O.V.A. variables (PBAT‐GEE P = 0.013)]. The two most common TPH2 eight locus haplotypes were in a Yin Yang configuration and the Yang haplotype was the risk haplotype for both DSM IV ADHD and deficits in neuropsychological performance. The current investigation shows that risk for ADHD conferred by TPH2 variants is partially mediated by serotonergic mechanisms impacting some facets of executive function. Importantly, improvement in T.O.V.A. performance, especially on Response Time Variability, following methylphenidate was also associated with TPH2. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Putative role of the COMT gene polymorphism (Val158Met) on verbal working memory functioning in a healthy population
Authors: Aguilera M. , Barrantes‐Vidal N. , Arias B. , Moya J. , Villa H. , Ibáñez M.I. , Ruipérez M.A. , Ortet G. , Fañanás L. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractWorking memory has been described as a neurocognitive probe of prefrontal brain functioning. Genetic variability related with catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) gene (Val158Met polymorphism) has received increasing attention as a possible modulator of working memory tasks in both schizophrenic patients and healthy subjects, although inconsistencies across studies have been found. This may be related to the existence of different working memory components, processes and modalities, which may have different sensitivities to subtle changes in dopamine levels and, therefore, the effect of the underlying COMT Val158Met genetic variability. To test this out a large sample of 521 healthy individuals from the general population were tested on the WCST and three working memory tasks that cover the assessment of verbal and spatial working modalities as well as different components and processes (Letter and Number Sequencing, CPT‐IP, Backwards Visual Span). All individuals were genotyped for the rs4680 (Val158Met) polymorphism at the COMT gene. Met carriers showed near‐significant better performance in the LNS compared with Val/Val individuals (F = 3.9, df = 1,P = 0.046). Moreover, the analysis for linear trend found that Met allele carriers showed significantly better performance than Val/Val individuals (B = 0.58P = 0.031), although evidence for a linear trend was not found. None of the WCST indices differed among genotypes. Consistent with the hypothesis that Val158Met polymorphism (COMT gene) might account for individual differences on dopamine‐dependent prefrontally related neurocognitive functions, the Letter‐Number Sequencing task, which requires not only maintenance but also active manipulation of information seemed to be more sensitive to the disadvantageous Val/Val genotype in a large non‐clinical sample. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of the G(‐656)A variant on CREB1 promoter activity in a glial cell line: Interactions with gonadal steroids and stress
Authors: Zubenko George S. , Hughes Hugh B. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractMajor depressive disorder (MDD) constitutes a major public health problem worldwide and affects women twice as frequently as men. Previous genetic studies have revealed significant evidence of linkage of the CREB1 region to mood disorders among women from families with recurrent, early‐onset MDD (RE‐MDD), a severe and familial subtype of MDD. A rare G to A transition at position ‐656 in the CREB1 promoter cosegregates with mood disorders in women from these families, implicating CREB1 as a sex‐related susceptibility gene for unipolar mood disorders. In the current study, the functional significance of the CREB1 promoter variant was determined using transfection experiments that employed constructs containing the wild‐type or variant CREB1 promoters coupled to a reporter gene. The results support the hypothesis that the A‐656 allele contributes to the development of MDD in women by selectively altering the activity of the CREB1 promoter in glial cells exposed to 17 β‐estradiol. Furthermore, the exaggeration of this effect during a simulated stress condition may be relevant to reported gene–environment interactions that contribute to the emergence of MDD in clinical populations. The results of in silico analysis revealed four putative binding sites for transcription factors that are affected by the G to A transition at position ‐656, of which CP2 best fit the experimental observations. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reinforcing network structure: Analysis of the phase morphology and mechanical properties of polymer blends [poly(methyl methacrylate)/poly(ϵ‐caprolactone)] with the addition of a third polymer [poly(vinyl chloride)]
Authors: Wu Tongfei , Yang Guisheng 
Published: January 2008

AbstractA thin matrix network structure of poly (vinyl chloride), poly(ϵ‐caprolactone), and in situ formed poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was synthesized. The structure was observed with scanning electron microscopy. The dissolution test suggested that a simple method to generate high rates of crosslinking at a lower temperature was obtained. The relationship of the phase morphology and mechanical properties of the blends was studied, and a reinforced material of PMMA was obtained. The obvious increase in the mechanical properties and the reinforcing effect were attributed to the formation of crosslinking and the network structure in the blend. The glass‐transition temperatures, obtained by DSC, suggested confined thermal behavior of PMMA chains restricted by a crosslinking system. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Paste extrusion of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) powders through tubular and annular dies at high reduction ratios
Authors: Patil Pramod D. , Isaias Ochoa , Stamboulides Christos , Hatzikiriakos Savvas G. , Polastri Fabio , Kapeliouchko Valerj 
Published: January 2008

AbstractPaste extrusion experiments are reported for three different polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fine powders using both capillary and annular dies having a high reduction ratio (cross‐sectional area of reservoir to cross‐sectional area of die at the exit) varied from 1000 up to 4000. The extrusion pressure is reported as a function of the apparent shear rate for various resins and dies. The approximate mathematical model for paste extrusion through capillary dies developed by Ariawan et al. (Ariawan et al., Can Chem Eng J, 2002, 80, 1153) was used to describe the experimental data by best fitting the five material constants of the constitutive model. Using these constants, the model developed by Patil et al. (Patil et al., AIChE J., 2006, 52, 4028) was used to predict the extrusion pressure for all three resins in annular dies. The model predictions are found to be consistent with experimental results and the analogy between the rod and tube extrusion models is demonstrated. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Preparation and characterization of pH‐sensitive hydrogel fibers based on hydrolyzed‐polyacrylonitrile/soy protein
Authors: Yu Liwei , Yan Dongyan , Sun Gang , Gu Lixia 
Published: January 2008

AbstractNovel smart hydrogel fibers were prepared from a blend of hydrolyzed‐polyacrylonitrile (H‐PAN) and soy protein (SP). The dynamic and static elongation/contraction behaviors were studied. It was discovered that H‐PAN/SP hydrogel fibers consisted of a multiporous structure. With an increase in the content of SP, the hydrogel fibers exhibited excellent reversible pH‐sensitive behavior. When the weight ratio of H‐PAN to SP was 4 : 6, the hydrogel fibers showed the best response times at 1.35 s (elongation) and 0.63 s (contraction). Discontinuous volume phase transitions and hysteresis loops of the hydrogel fibers induced by changes in pH value were found. These results were found to be explicable in terms of the surface morphology and polyampholytic properties of H‐PAN/SP hydrogel fibers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Scleral Ossicles of Teleostei: Evolutionary and Developmental Trends
Authors: Franz‐Odendaal Tamara A. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractScleral ossicles are bones within the sclera of the eye. A total of 547 teleost species (744 specimens) from 36 orders and 163 families were investigated with respect to scleral ossicle presence/absence and number. This is the first extensive investigation into the distribution of scleral ossicles in living teleosts. Derived orders were found to have the most variable scleral ossicle numbers (zero, one, or two per eye), while more basal groups tend to have no ossicles. Whereas more data on the activity level of individual families and on family‐level interrelationships is needed, significant findings were nevertheless made. Ninety‐four percent of the families investigated have a consistent ossicle number, indicating that family level is a reliable predictor of scleral ossicle presence/absence. In a subgroup analysis of 28 families, additional trends were observed with regard to activity level, namely that 80% of the families that are described as sluggish have no scleral ossicles while 100% of those that are very active have two ossicles per eye. In addition, fish that inhabit deep sea environments are the most likely ones to lack scleral ossicles. The analysis also supports the hypothesis that scleral ossicle number declined from the basal condition of four elements per eye seen in Cheirolepis to no ossicles in the eye, early in teleost evolution. At least 24 evolutionary steps are needed to account for the scleral ossicle distribution seen in teleost orders today. This study describes the variation of scleral ossicles in the most diverse group of vertebrates, Teleostei, and provides the first step in understanding the evolvability of these elements in bony fishes. Anat Rec, 291:161–168, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Enhancement of immunity and resistance in mice by pig IL‐6 gene and CpG motifs encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticle
Authors: Chen Qian , Zhao Zhong‐Zhong , Peng Rong , Wang Ying‐Yu , Xie Zhao , Wang Ze‐Zhou , Li Jiang‐Lin , Lv Xue‐Bing , Wu Kai‐Yuan , Fu Man‐Liang , Wang Hong‐Ning , Gao Rong 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThis study was conducted to explore the synergetic effect of a novel plasmid containing a porcine IL‐6 gene and CpG motifs on immunity of mice in order to develop an effective adjuvant to boost resistance against infection. The synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide containing 11 CpG motifs was inserted into the reconstructed VR1020 plasmid containing the pig IL‐6 gene (VRPIL6), designated VRIL6C, and then encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles (CNP) prepared by ionic cross linkage, designated VRIL6C‐CNP. The 3‐week old mice were injected, respectively, with VRIL6C‐CNP, VRIL6‐CNP, CpG‐CNP and VR1020‐CNP to detect the changes of immunity. At 28 days post inoculation, the mice were challenged with virulent hemolytic serotype 2 Streptococcus to test their resistance against infection. The results showed that there was a significant increase in immunoglobulins and interleukins in mice receiving VRIL6C‐CNP compared with the control groups, as well as an increase in the lymphocytes and monocytes in the inoculated mice, so that the immunity was remarkably improved in the VRIL6C‐CNP group. The challenge provoked stronger immunity and protection against infection in the VRIL6C‐CNP group than in the control mice that manifested severe symptoms and lesions. This suggests that VRIL6C‐CNP could remarkably enhance the nonspecific immunity of mice, and facilitate the development of an effective immunopotentiator to promote the resistance of the animals against infection.
Facilitating public awareness—the design of information distribution for communication in future workplaces
Authors: Ueki Atsuro , Inakage Masa 
Published: January 2008

AbstractWe present Emo System that extends e‐mail communication system in a workspace environment. In this system, the emotional information included in e‐mail message is extracted and shared in the public space, while reserving the private exchange of messages. As a result, people in the public space become aware of the ‘emotional’ information. This paper discusses how we extract and segment the information to share the emotional information. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Family of Enneanuclear Iron(II) Single‐Molecule Magnets
Authors: Boudalis Athanassios K. , Sanakis Yiannis , Clemente‐Juan Juan Modesto , Donnadieu Bruno , Nastopoulos Vassilios , Mari Alain , Coppel Yanick , Tuchagues Jean‐Pierre , Perlepes Spyros P. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractComplexes [Fe9(X)2(O2CMe)8{(2‐py)2CO2}4] (X−=OH− (1), N3− (2), and NCO− (3)) have been prepared by a route previously employed for the synthesis of analogous Co9 and Ni9 complexes, involving hydroxide substitution by pseudohalides (N3−, NCO−). As indicated by DC magnetic susceptibility measurements, this substitution induced higher ferromagnetic couplings in complexes 2 and 3, leading to higher ground spin states compared to that of 1. Variable‐field experiments have shown that the ground state is not well isolated from excited states, as a result of which it cannot be unambiguously determined. AC susceptometry has revealed out‐of‐phase signals, which suggests that these complexes exhibit a slow relaxation of magnetization that follows Arrhenius behavior, as observed in single‐molecule magnets, with energy barriers of 41 K for 2 (τ0=3.4×10−12 s) and 44 K for 3 (τ0=2.0×10−11 s). Slow magnetic relaxation has also been observed by zero‐field 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. Characteristic integer‐spin electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals have been observed at X‐band for 1, whereas 2 and 3 were found to be EPR‐silent at this frequency. 1H NMR spectrometry in CD3CN has shown that complexes 1–3 are stable in solution.
Racial and ethnic differences in treatment and survival among adults with primary extremity soft‐tissue sarcoma
Authors: Martinez Steve R. , Robbins Anthony S. , Meyers Frederick J. , Bold Richard J. , Khatri Vijay P. , Goodnight James E. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND.Limb preservation is preferred to amputation for patients with extremity soft tissue sarcoma (ESTS). Disparities in the treatment and outcomes of several malignancies have been reported, but not for ESTS. The authors assessed racial/ethnic differences in patient‐ and tumor‐specific characteristics, treatment, and disease‐specific survival in a population of adults with ESTS.METHODS.The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was used to identify 6406 adult patients with ESTS who were diagnosed and treated between 1988 and 2003. Patients were categorized into 1 of 4 racial/ethnic groups: whites, blacks, Hispanics, and Asians. Comparisons of treatment and disease‐specific survival were conducted with regression models that adjusted for patient age, sex, SEER geographic region, extent of disease, tumor grade, tumor size, and histology.RESULTS.Relative to whites, blacks received lower rates of adjuvant radiation with surgery (odds ratio [OR], 0.77; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.66–0.90). Hispanics received significantly lower rates of limb‐sparing surgery (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.59–0.97). In a multivariate analysis controlling for patient age, sex, SEER geographic region, extent of disease, tumor grade, tumor size, and histology, blacks displayed a worse disease‐specific survival (hazard ratio [HR] 1.39; 95% CI, 1.13–1.70), whereas Asians demonstrated superior disease‐specific survival (HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.46–0.97).CONCLUSIONS.There were significant racial/ethnic differences in treatment and survival among adults with ESTS. Compared with whites, survival was poorer for blacks but better for Asians. These disparities were not explained by differences in patient or tumor characteristics. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Patterns of convergence in rat zona incerta from the trigeminal nuclear complex: Light and electron microscopic study
Authors: Simpson Kimberly , Wang Yue , Lin Rick C.S. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractIn contrast to the restricted receptive field (RF) properties of the ventral posteriomedial nucleus (VPM), neurons of the ventral thalamus zona incerta (ZI) have been shown to exhibit multiwhisker responses that vary from the ventral (ZIv) to the dorsal (ZId) subdivision. Differences in activity may arise from the trigeminal nuclear complex (TNC) and result from subnucleus specific inputs via certain cells of origin, axon distribution patterns, fiber densities, bouton sizes, or postsynaptic contact sites. We tested this hypothesis by assessing circuit relationships among TNC, ZI, and VPM. Results from tracer studies show that, 1) relative to ZId, the trigeminal projection to ZIv is denser and arises predominantly from the principalis (PrV) and interpolaris (SpVi) subdivisions; 2) the incertal projection from TNC subnuclei overlaps and covers most of ZIv; 3) two sets of PrV axons terminate in ZI: a major subtype, possessing bouton‐like swellings, and a few fine fibers, with minimal specialization; 4) both PrV and SpVi terminals exhibit asymmetric endings and preferentially target dendrites of ZI neurons; 5) small and large neurons in PrV are labeled after retrograde injections into ZI; 6) small PrV cells with incertal projections form a population that is distinct from those projecting to VPM; and 7) ∼30–50% of large cells in PrV send collaterals to ZI and VPM. These findings suggest that, 1) although information to ZI and VPM is essentially routed along separate TNC circuits, streams of somatosensory code converge in ZI to establish large RFs, and 2) subregional differences in ZI response profiles are attributable in part to TNC innervation density. J. Comp. Neurol. 507:1521–1541, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Somite cell cycle analysis using somite‐staging to measure intrinsic developmental time
Authors: Venters Sara J. , Hultner Michael L. , Ordahl Charles P. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractSomite stages were employed as units of intrinsic developmental time to measure cell doubling rate and other cell cycle parameters of chick forelimb level somites. Somite cell nuclei doubled over an interval corresponding to approximately 7+ somite stages (7+ ss; ∼11 hr) and approximately 24 new primary myotome cells are born per somite stage (∼16/hr). FACS analysis of DNA content in dissociated paraxial mesoderm cells indicated that slightly more than half are in G1/G0 phase of the cell cycle and that the average combined length of the S phase and G2 phase intervals is approximately 3 ss (∼4.5 hr). A wavefront of increased mitotic nuclei per segment coincident with somite budding potentially reflects a surge in the number of cells entering S phase 3 ss earlier as each PSM segment becomes unresponsive to FGF signaling as it passes through the determination front. Developmental Dynamics 237:377–392, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.