bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The waiting-time process of a queueing system with gamma-type input and blocking
Authors: Langaris C. 
Published: April 2006

In this work the first-come-first-served waiting-time process of a customer in a two-stage queueing network without intermediate waiting space is analysed. We assume that the arrivals follow the gamma distribution, the service times in the first stage are arbitrarily distributed, and the service times in the second stage are again of gamma type.Connecting the waiting time of the (n + 1)th customer with that of the nth and locating the zeros of a certain function we derive expressions for the Laplace transform of the waiting-time distribution both in the transient and the steady state.
A new approach to (s, S) inventory systems
Authors: Hu Jian-Qiang , Nananukul Soracha , Gong Wei-Bo 
Published: April 2006

In this paper, we consider period review (s, S) inventory systems with independent and identically distributed continuous demands and full backlogging. Using an approach recently proposed by Gong and Hu (1992), we derive an infinite system of linear equations for all moments of inventory level. Based on this infinite system, we develop two algorithms to calculate the moments of the inventory level. In the first one, we solve a finite system of linear equations whose solution converges to the moments as its dimension goes to infinity. In the second one, we in fact obtain the power series of the moments with respect to s and S. Both algorithms are based on some very simple recursive procedures. To show their efficiency and speed, we provide some numerical examples for the first algorithm.(s, S) INVENTORY SYSTEMS; DYNAMIC RECURSIVE EQUATIONS; INFINITE LINEAR EQUATIONS; MACLAURIN SERIES
A construction for multi-modal processes, and a potential memory device
Authors: Whittle P. 
Published: April 2006

It is shown that if parameters occurring linearly in the transition intensity of a Markov process are replaced by their respective ‘Bayesian estimates' then the new process thus generated has an equilibrium distribution which is a mixture (over parameter values) of the original parametrised equilibrium distribution.One effectively then has an extra state dependence in that one selects from a given class of transition rules those rules which are most consistent with the value of current state. The effect of this is thus to preserve the status quo, in that unlikely transitions are made even less likely. By this means one can construct processes which show several distinct and metastable modes of behaviour, and which can serve as models for memory devices.
Receptors as Drug Targets
Authors: Williams Michael , Raddatz Rita 
Published: April 2006

AbstractReceptors, located on both the cell surface and within the cell, are the molecular targets through which drugs produce their beneficial effects in various disease states. Receptors were initially conceptualized at the beginning of the 20th century by the parallel efforts of Ehrlich and Langley. The concepts of the receptor and receptor theory, based on the Law of Mass Action, have undergone continuous refinement as they have been characterized in terms of their molecular structure, association with ancillary proteins (e.g., G proteins, arrestins, RAMPs), and functional characteristics in normal and diseased tissues. The concepts describing ligand interactions with receptors have also been refined from the simple binary concept of competitive agonists and antagonists to partial agonists, allosteric modulators and inverse agonists. Concepts such as receptor constitutive activity, internalization and dimerization add additional complexity to the role of receptors in tissue function and in precisely characterizing their role in homeostasis and disease.
Testing for Inverse Agonism with Constitutive Receptor Systems
Authors: Kenakin Terry 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThis unit discusses the use of constitutive 7‐transmembrane/G protein coupled receptor (7TM/GPCR) activity for screening new drug entities. Following an introduction to constitutive 7TM/GPCR activity, the unit centers on the three basic components of a constitutive screening system: the receptor, the receptor coupling components (G protein), and the response reporting system. The design of specific assays to detect inverse agonism and the application of such systems to drug screening are also discussed. Finally, the relative advantages and disadvantages of inverse agonists as therapeutic agents are considered.
Isolation of GLUT4 Storage Vesicles
Authors: Kandror Konstantin V. , Pilch Paul F. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe immunoisolation of GLUT4‐containing vesicles from adipocytes is described in this unit. The methods involve homogenization of cells followed by differential centrifugation to provide the intracellular membranes that contain GLUT4. Subsequently, an immobilized monoclonal antibody is used for the isolation of vesicles of very high purity. The various protocols are applicable to cultured and primary adipocytes as well as skeletal muscle, the major insulin target cells expressing GLUT4.
Analyzing FAK and Pyk2 in Early Integrin Signaling Events
Authors: Bernard‐Trifilo Joie A. , Lim Ssang‐Taek , Hou Shihe , Schlaepfer David D. , Ilic Dusko 
Published: April 2006

AbstractIntegrins are a family of heterodimeric α/β transmembrane cell adhesion receptors that play important roles in the regulation of cell migration, proliferation, and survival. Integrins do not possess intrinsic catalytic activity, and signaling events are mediated by their lateral association with other cell surface receptors or clustering of their cytoplasmic domains with signaling proteins. Rapid activation of protein‐tyrosine kinases is one of the first signaling events associated with integrin binding to the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin. The intracellular focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is recruited to sites of integrin clustering, and this unit describes the methods with which to analyze FAK phosphorylation, activity, and localization within fibroblasts. Additional methods on how to grow primary FAK+/+ and FAK−/− fibroblasts and measure integrin‐stimulated cell motility are described as well as methods for evaluating the activity of the FAK‐related kinase, Pyk2, which is expressed in FAK−/− cells.
Spray Forming of Metals
Authors: Fritsching Udo , Bauckhage Klaus 
Published: April 2006

AbstractSpray forming is an advanced process route to produce near‐net‐shaped preforms from metallic materials. As it combines the main advantages of the classical processes of metal casting and powder metallurgy, its products are characterized by extraordinary material properties. Since the 1970s this process has been developed and it is now in its commercialization state in several applications, e.g., in the automotive and aerospace industry. Though essentially a metallurgical process, understanding and optimization is based on principles of process and chemical engineering. This is reflected by means of the three process stages as: melt atomization, spray evolution, and droplet deposition. In this contribution these three subprocesses will be introduced and basic features of the process will be discussed.The article contains sections titled:1.Background and Potential of the Process2.Atomization3.Spraying4.Deposition5.Integral Modeling
Nanostructured Vanadium Oxide Electrodes for Enhanced Lithium‐Ion Intercalation
Authors: Wang Y. , Takahashi K. , Lee K. H. , Cao G. Z. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThis article summarizes our most recent studies on improved Li+‐intercalation properties in vanadium oxides by engineering the nanostructure and interlayer structure. The intercalation capacity and rate are enhanced by almost two orders of magnitude with appropriately fabricated nanostructures. Processing methods for single‐crystal V2O5 nanorod arrays, V2O5·n H2O nanotube arrays, and Ni/V2O5·n H2O core/shell nanocable arrays are presented; the morphologies, structures, and growth mechanisms of these nanostructures are discussed. Electrochemical analysis demonstrates that the intercalation properties of all three types of nanostructure exhibit significantly enhanced storage capacity and rate performance compared to the film electrode of vanadium pentoxide. Addition of TiO2 to orthorhombic V2O5 is found to affect the crystallinity, microstructure, and possible interaction force between adjacent layers in V2O5, and subsequently leads to enhanced Li+‐intercalation properties in V2O5. The amount of water intercalated in V2O5 is found to have a significant influence on the interlayer spacing and electrochemical performance of V2O5·n H2O. A systematic electrochemical study has demonstrated that the V2O5·0.3 H2O film has the optimal water content and exhibits the best Li+‐intercalation performance.
Oto‐spondylo‐megaepiphyseal dysplasia (OSMED): Clinical and radiological findings in sibs homozygous for premature stop codon mutation in the COL11A2 gene
Authors: Temtamy Samia A. , Männikkö Minna , Abdel‐Salam Ghada M.H. , Hassan Nihal A. , Ala‐Kokko Leena , Afifi Hanan H. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractOto‐spondylo‐megaepiphyseal dysplasia (OSMED) is a very rare disorder due to mutation of type XI collagen. Less than 30 patients have been reported in the literature so far. It could be either of autosomal dominant (OMIM 154780) or recessive (OMIM 215150) etiology. Two sibs with OSMED are presented. They had disproportionate short stature and short limbs, distinct face with midface hypoplasia, short nose, depressed nasal bridge, long philtrum, and non‐progressive sensorineural deafness. Radiological findings showed short long bones and large epiphyses with metaphyseal flaring and mild platyspondyly and coronal clefting. Homozygosity of a single nucleotide deletion in exon 55 causing a premature stop codon in exon 56 of COL11A2 was detected in the affected sibs. Parents were heterozygotes for the same mutation and interestingly, the father had mild unilateral non‐progressive sensorineural deafness. This finding adds more weight that the type of mutation and location in COL11A2 are crucial in determining the phenotype. The purpose of this study is to report clinical and radiological findings in two molecularly proven Egyptian sibs with autosomal recessive OSMED. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dynamic ligand‐exchange chiral stationary phase from S‐benzyl‐(R)‐cysteine
Authors: Natalini B. , Sardella R. , Macchiarulo A. , Pellicciari R. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractS‐Benzyl‐(R)‐cysteine (R‐SBC) is a new chiral ligand‐exchange stationary phase which has proved to be effective in the analytical separation of some natural and unnatural underivatized amino acids with fair to good separation and resolution factors. The dynamic coating of the RP‐18 solid support with S‐Benzyl‐(R)‐cysteine (R‐SBC) gives rise to a stable and efficient chiral stationary phase (CSP) that has been successfully employed. The mechanism of chiral recognition is discussed and a molecular modeling study aimed at identifying molecular descriptors responsible for observed different behaviours of analytes upon different albeit closely related selectors is discussed. Chirality 18:509–518, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis of new enantiomerically pure macrocycles containing phenanthroline subunits
Authors: Colombo Federica , Annunziata Rita , Raimondi Laura , Benaglia Maurizio 
Published: April 2006

AbstractNew enantiomerically pure macrocycles have been prepared by combining 1,10‐phenanthroline 2,9‐dicarboxylic acid and two α‐amino‐acids linked through spacers. Different diamine linkers have been employed in order to modify the dimensions and the properties of the macrocycles whose structures have been studied by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The ability of the (L)‐valine containing macrocycles to bind metal ions and phenolic molecules has been investigated by 1H NMR experiments and Molecular Mechanics calculations. Chirality, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Patterns and predictors of mammography utilization among breast cancer survivors
Authors: Doubeni Chyke A. , Field Terry S. , Ulcickas Yood Marianne , Rolnick Sharon J. , Quessenberry Charles P. , Fouayzi Hassan , Gurwitz Jerry H. , Wei Feifei 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBACKGROUNDImprovements in cancer detection and treatment have resulted in increasing numbers of breast cancer survivors. Information regarding the use of mammography by breast cancer survivors is limited.METHODSThe use of surveillance mammography was examined over a 5‐year period in a retrospective cohort of women age ≥ 55 years who were diagnosed with incident primary breast cancer (1996–1997) while enrolled in 1 of 4 geographically diverse integrated health systems.RESULTSOf the 797 women included in the study, 80% (n = 636) underwent mammograms during the first year after treatment for breast cancer. The percentage of women having mammograms during each yearly period decreased significantly over time. In multivariable analyses, older women with comorbid illnesses or those with late‐stage disease were less likely to undergo mammograms, whereas those who underwent breast‐conserving therapy (adjusted odds ratio [OR] of 1.38 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.09–1.75]) were more likely to have mammograms. Women who had outpatient visits with a gynecologist (adjusted OR of 3.49 [95% CI, 2.55–4.79]), or a primary care physician (adjusted OR of 2.21 [95% CI, 1.73–2.82]) during the year were more likely to undergo mammograms in that year.CONCLUSIONSThe use of mammography among breast cancer survivors declines over time. Efforts are needed to increase awareness among healthcare providers and breast cancer survivors of the value of follow‐up mammography. The current findings highlight the importance of maintaining ongoing contact with primary care physicians and gynecologists. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Cholesterol oxides as biomarkers of oxidative stress in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Ferderbar S. , Pereira E. C. , Apolinário E. , Bertolami M. C. , Faludi A. , Monte O. , Calliari L. E. , Sales J. E. , Gagliardi A. R. , Xavier H. T. , Abdalla D. S. P. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackgroundOxidative stress plays an important role in the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the formation of cholesterol oxides (ChOx) as biomarkers of oxidative stress in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and diabetes.MethodsBlood plasma levels of cholesterol oxidation products were determined in the following groups: type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1), type 2 diabetes (DM2), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), children without diabetes (C1) and adults without diabetes (C2). The serum levels of cholest‐5‐ene‐3α,7α‐diol (7α‐hydroxycholesterol, 7α‐OH), cholest‐5‐ene‐3β,7β‐diol (7β‐hydroxycholesterol, 7β‐OH), 3β‐hydroxycholest‐5‐7‐one (7‐ketocholesterol, 7‐K), 5α‐cholestane‐3β,5,6β‐triol (cholestanetriol), 5,6α‐epoxy‐5α‐cholestan‐3α‐ol (cholesterol‐5α,6α‐epoxide,), 5,6β‐epoxy‐5β‐cholestan‐3β‐ol (cholesterol‐5β,6β‐epoxide) and cholest‐5‐eno‐3β,25‐diol (25‐hydroxycholesterol, 25‐OH) (trivial name and abbreviations indicated in parentheses) were quantified by gas chromatography using flame ionization detection.ResultsThe levels of total ChOx were elevated in the DM1 and DM2 groups compared to age‐matched subjects without diabetes (p< 0.05). The concentrations of 7β‐hydroxycholesterol, cholesterol‐α‐epoxide and cholesterol‐β‐epoxide were higher in the blood plasma of subjects in the DM2 group than in the blood plasma of subjects in the C2 and IGT groups (p< 0.05). Treatment of type 2 diabetic patients with oral hypoglycemic drugs associated with insulin resulted in lower concentrations of nitrotyrosine in the blood plasma without significant changes in the concentrations of glucose and glycated hemoglobin. Moreover, combination with statins in both treatments decreased the concentrations of ChOx.ConclusionsChOx are suitable biomarkers of oxidative stress and may be useful in clinical studies to follow drug effects on lipid oxidative modifications in diabetic patients. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Features associated with excessive exercise in women with eating disorders
Authors: Shroff Hemal , Reba Lauren , Thornton Laura M. , Tozzi Federica , Klump Kelly L. , Berrettini Wade H. , Brandt Harry , Crawford Steven , Crow Scott , Fichter Manfred M. , Goldman David , Halmi Katherine A. , Johnson Craig , Kaplan Allan S. , Keel Pamela , LaVia Maria , Mitchell James , Rotondo Alessandro , Strober Michael , Treasure Janet , Blake Woodside D. , Kaye Walter H. , Bulik Cynthia M. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractObjective:Excessive exercise and motor restlessness are observed in a substantial number of patients with eating disorders. This trait has been studied extensively among animal models of activity anorexia nervosa (AN) and may hold particular interest as an endophenotype for AN. We explored features associated with excessive exercise across subtypes of eating disorders.Method:Participants were female probands and affected female relatives from the multi‐site international Price Foundation Genetic Studies with diagnoses of AN, bulimia nervosa (BN), and both AN and BN or eating disorder not otherwise specified (ED‐NOS) (N = 1,857). Excessive exercise was defined based on responses to the Structured Interview for Anorexic and Bulimic Disorders (SIAB).Results:Among the eating disorder diagnostic groups, excessive exercise was most common among the purging subtype of AN. Individuals who reported excessive exercise also reported lower minimum BMI, younger age at interview, higher scores on anxiety, perfectionism, and eating disorder symptom measures, more obsessions and compulsions, and greater persistence.Conclusion:Excessive exercise may be associated particularly with the purging subtype of AN as well as with a constellation of anxious/obsessional temperament and personality characteristics among women with eating disorders. © 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2006
Normal responses to specific NOD1‐activating peptidoglycan agonists in the presence of the NOD2 frameshift and other mutations in Crohn's disease
Authors: van Heel David A. , Hunt Karen A. , Ghosh Subrata , Hervé Mireille , Playford Raymond J. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBoth NOD2/CARD15 alleles are mutated in ∼10% of Crohn's disease patients, causing loss of functional responses to low‐dose muropeptide agonists. We hypothesized that NOD2 mutations may also impair NOD1/CARD4 responses, supported by data suggesting NOD2 1007fs/1007fs patients had reduced responses to a putative NOD1 agonist, diaminopimelic acid‐containing muramyl tripeptide (M‐TriDAP). We measured peripheral blood mononuclear cell (n = 8 NOD2 wild type, n = 4 1007fs/1007fs, n = 6 702Trp/1007fs, n = 5 702Trp/702Trp, n = 3 908Arg/1007fs) responses to NOD1 agonists alone (IL‐8/TNF‐α), and agonist enhancement of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) responses (IL‐1β). Significant responses were seen with M‐TriDAP at 10 nM (as with NOD2 agonists), but only at ⩾100 nM with FK565/TriDAP. M‐TriDAP induced IL‐8/TNF‐α secretion, and enhancement of LPS IL‐1β responses was significantly reduced between NOD2 double mutation carriers versus healthy controls, whereas there was no difference with FK565 or TriDAP stimulation, or between 1007fs/1007fs cells and other genotypes. M‐TriDAP contains both NOD1 (γ‐D‐Glu‐mesoDAP) and NOD2 (MurNAc‐L‐Ala‐D‐Glu) minimal structures whereas FK565/TriDAP contain only NOD1 activating structures. M‐TriDAP has dual NOD1/NOD2 agonist activity in primary cells, possibly due to different intracellular peptidoglycan processing compared to the HEK293 cell system typically used for agonist specificity studies. Responses to specific NOD1 agonists are unaffected by NOD2 genotype, suggesting independent action of the NOD1 and NOD2 pathways.
Recent applications of capillary electrophoresis‐electrospray ionisation‐mass spectrometry in drug analysis
Authors: Smyth W. Franklin 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThis review considers applications in 2004–2005 of capillary electrophoresis‐electrospray ionisation‐mass spectrometry (CE‐ESI‐MS) to the detection and determination of small molecular mass drug molecules, taken from the Web of Knowledge database. The molecules of small molecular mass less than 1000 Da are chosen according to selected structural classes in which they give ESI signals primarily as [M+H]+ ions. These structural classes are drugs with amine‐containing side chains, drugs with N‐containing saturated ring structures, 1,4‐benzodiazepines, other heterocyclic hypnotics, steroids, bioactive compounds containing phenolic groups, and miscellaneous molecules. Details are given on the fragmentations, where available, that these ionic species exhibit in‐source and in ion‐trap, triple quadrupole and time‐of flight mass spectrometers. The review then gives a critical evaluation of these recent CE‐ESI‐MS analytical methods for the detection and determination of these small molecular mass drug molecules. Analytical information on, for example, sample concentration techniques, CE separation conditions, recoveries from biological media and limits of detection are provided.
Conservation laryngeal surgery versus total laryngectomy for radiation failure in laryngeal cancer
Authors: Holsinger F. Christopher , Funk Etai , Roberts Dianna B. , Diaz Eduardo M. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackground.Total laryngectomy is the standard of care for surgical salvage of radiation failure in laryngeal cancer. However, the role of conservation laryngeal surgery in this setting remains unclear. The objective was to compare the efficacy of conservation versus total laryngectomy for salvage of radiation failure in patients who initially presented with T1 or T2 squamous cancer of the larynx.Methods.A 21‐year retrospective analysis of patients who received surgery at a single comprehensive cancer center after definitive radiation therapy is reported. At recurrence, the patients were reevaluated and then underwent a total laryngectomy or, if possible, a conservation laryngeal procedure. The charts of 105 patients who failed radiation treatment for primary laryngeal cancer and who subsequently underwent surgical salvage were reviewed for this study. Eighty‐nine were male (84.8%). The mean age was 60.3 years. The median follow‐up time after surgery was 69.4 months. Most patients with recurrence after radiotherapy required total laryngectomy (69.5%; 73/105). Conservation laryngeal surgery was performed for 32 patients (31.5%). Concomitant neck dissections were performed on 45 patients (45.5%).Results.In 14 patients, local or regional recurrence developed after salvage surgery: 9 patients after total laryngectomy (12.3%; 9/73), and 5 patients (15.6%; 5/32) after conservation laryngeal surgery. This difference was not statistically significant, nor was there a difference in disease‐free interval for the two procedures (p = .634, by log‐rank test). Distant metastasis developed in 13 patients. Most developed in the setting of local and/or regional recurrence, but distant metastasis occurred as the only site of failure in 6 of the patients who had undergone total laryngectomy but in 1 of the conservation surgery patients treated for a supraglottic laryngeal cancer. The overall mortality for patients who underwent total laryngectomy was also higher: 73.74% (54/73) versus 59.4% (19/32) for patients who underwent a conservation approach (p = .011 by log‐rank test).Conclusions.Although conservation laryngeal surgery was possible in a few patients with local failure after radiotherapy, conservation laryngeal surgery is an oncologically sound alternative to total laryngectomy for these patients. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2006