bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficient dynamic channeliser based on nonuniform filter banks
Authors: Li Bing , Ge Lin‐dong , Zheng Jin 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIn the multi‐standard communications systems, the intermediate frequency (IF) signal usually consists of several subband signals with nonequal bandwidths and arbitrary band locations, and in some special cases the number, location and bandwidth of the subband signal are dynamically changeable during receiving. This paper presents an efficient architecture based on nonuniform filter banks to channelise these signals. The nonuniform filter bank can be constructed by directly merging the relevant uniform cosine‐modulated filter bank (CMFB) according to the nonuniform matrix. The whole filter design can be boiled down to design a prototype filter that meets some constraints. The proposed structure can be optimised to reduce the computational complexity using the relationships among different decimation factors of different subband signals. Along with signals dynamically changing, new channelisation can be implemented as long as updating the nonuniform matrix. New structure is provided with low cost in hardware and high flexibility. Simulation results are also presented to illustrate its feasibility. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cortical network for vibrotactile attention: A fMRI study
Authors: Burton Harold , Sinclair Robert J. , McLaren Donald G. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractWe used fMRI to identify brain areas activated during tactile attention tasks. Participants detected the interval containing target stimulation of higher vibrotactile frequency or longer duration. Attributes were selectively or neutrally cued. A control backwards‐counting task included concurrent, but irrelevant corresponding vibrotactile stimulation. Group analyses of average F‐statistic maps, participant conjunction maps, and estimated time courses utilized data mapped to a standard average surface atlas (PALS B12). Repeated‐measures, random‐effects MANOVA examined blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) signal modulation differences amongst tasks in defined regions, where significant responses occurred in at least 50% of the group. Greater than 0.1% increase in BOLD responses were found during at least one of the tactile attention tasks in contralateral parietal opercular OP1, BA 4 finger region, frontal eye field, dorsal premotor, anterior and posterior BA 7, and bilaterally in superior temporal sulcal cortex (BA 22), ventral premotor, supplementary motor area, and frontal operculum/insula. The same tasks suppressed activity in ipsilateral OP4. The BA 22 ROI showed larger responses during neutral cuing. The control task suppressed BOLD in ipsilateral OP1 and OP4 and bilaterally in BA 40, but significantly enhanced responses in dorsal parietal–frontal regions compared with tactile attention tasks. No regional differences were found between selectively cued frequency and duration tasks. Tactile attention effects were most prominent in OP1. Posterior parietal responses possibly reflected the visual attention required for backwards‐counting, whereas the frontal regions potentially related to goal‐directed behavior when identifying target stimulation. Hum Brain Mapp 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chloride, hydrochemical and isotope methods of groundwater recharge estimation in eastern Mediterranean areas: a case study in Jordan
Authors: Zagana E. , Obeidat M. , Kuells Ch. , Udluft P. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractJordan is classified as an arid to semi‐arid country with a population according to 1999 estimates of 4·8 millions inhabitants and a growth rate of 3·4%. Efficient use of Jordan's scarce water is becoming increasingly important as the urban population grows. This study was carried out within the framework of the joint European Research project ‘Groundwater recharge in the eastern Mediterranean’ and describes a combined methodology for groundwater recharge estimation in Jordan, the chloride method, as well as isotopic and hydrochemical approaches. Recharge estimations using the chloride method range from 14 mm year−1 (mean annual precipitation of 500 mm) for a shallow and stony soil to values of 3·7 mm year−1 for a thick desert soil (mean annual precipitation of 100 mm) and values of well below 1 mm year−1 for thick alluvial deposits (mean annual rainfall of 250 mm). Isotopically, most of the groundwater in the Hammad basin, east Jordan, falls below the global meteoric water line and far away from the Mediterranean meteoric water line, suggesting that the waters are ancient and were recharged in a climate different than Mediterranean. Tritium levels in the groundwater of the Hammad basin are less than the detection limit (<1·3 TU). However, three samples in east Hammad, where the aquifer is unconfined, present tritium values between 1 and 4 TU. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Methods of groundwater recharge estimation in eastern Mediterranean—a water balance model application in Greece, Cyprus and Jordan
Authors: Zagana E. , Kuells Ch. , Udluft P. , Constantinou C. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractGroundwater recharge studies in semi‐arid areas are fundamental because groundwater is often the only water resource of importance. This paper describes the water balance method of groundwater recharge estimation in three different hydro‐climatic environments in eastern Mediterranean, in northwest Greece (Aliakmonas basin/Koromilia basin), in Cyprus (Kouris basin and Larnaka area) and in Jordan (northern part of Jordan). For the Aliakmonas basin, groundwater recharge was calculated for different sub‐catchments. For the Upper Aliakmonas basin (Koromilia basin), a watershed‐distributed model was developed and recharge maps were generated on a daily basis. The mean annual recharge varied between 50 and 75 mm/year (mean annual rainfall 800 mm/year). In Cyprus, the mean groundwater recharge estimates yielded 70 mm/year in the Kouris basin. In the Larnaka area, groundwater recharge ranged from 30 mm/year (lowland) to 200 mm/year (mountains). In Jordan, the results indicated recharge rates ranging from 80 mm/year for very permeable karstified surfaces in the upper part of the Salt basin, where rainfall reaches 500 mm/year to less than 10 mm/year and to only about 1 mm/year in the southernmost part of the basin. For the north part of Jordan, a watershed‐distributed model was developed and recharge maps were generated. This water balance model was used for groundwater recharge estimations in many regions with different climatic conditions and has provided reliable results. It has turned out to be an important tool for the management of the limited natural water resources, which require a detailed understanding of regional hydro(geo)logical processes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Validation of hydrological models for climate scenario simulation: the case of Saguenay watershed in Quebec
Authors: Dibike Yonas B. , Coulibaly Paulin 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThis paper presents the results of an investigation into the problems associated with using downscaled meteorological data for hydrological simulations of climate scenarios. The influence of both the hydrological models and the meteorological inputs driving these models on climate scenario simulation studies are investigated. A regression‐based statistical tool (SDSM) is used to downscale the daily precipitation and temperature data based on climate predictors derived from the Canadian global climate model (CGCM1), and two types of hydrological model, namely the physically based watershed model WatFlood and the lumped‐conceptual modelling system HBV‐96, are used to simulate the flow regimes in the major rivers of the Saguenay watershed in Quebec. The models are validated with meteorological inputs from both the historical records and the statistically downscaled outputs. Although the two hydrological models demonstrated satisfactory performances in simulating stream flows in most of the rivers when provided with historic precipitation and temperature records, both performed less well and responded differently when provided with downscaled precipitation and temperature data. By demonstrating the problems in accurately simulating river flows based on downscaled data for the current climate, we discuss the difficulties associated with downscaling and hydrological models used in estimating the possible hydrological impact of climate change scenarios. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Subsurface storm flow formation at different hillslopes and implications for the ‘old water paradox’
Authors: Kienzler Peter Matthias , Naef Felix 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAlthough many studies over the past several decades have documented the importance of subsurface stormflow (SSF) in hillslopes, its formation is still not well understood. Therefore, we studied SSF formation in the vadose soil zone at four different hillslopes during controlled sprinkling experiments and natural rainfall events. Event and pre‐event water fractions were determined using artificially traced sprinkling water and 222Rn as natural tracer. SSF formation and the fraction of pre‐event water varied substantially at different hillslopes. Both intensity of SSF and fraction of pre‐event water depended on whether SSF in preferential flow paths was fed directly from precipitation or was fed indirectly from saturated parts of the soil. Soil water was rapidly mobilized from saturated patches in the soil matrix and was subsequently released into larger pores, where it mixed with event water. Substantial amounts of pre‐event water, therefore, were contained in fast flow components like subsurface storm flow and also in overland flow. This finding has consequences for commonly used hydrograph separation methods and might explain part of the ‘old water paradox’. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cancer risk in women prenatally exposed to diethylstilbestrol
Authors: Troisi Rebecca , Hatch Elizabeth E. , Titus‐Ernstoff Linda , Hyer Marianne , Palmer Julie R. , Robboy Stanley J. , Strohsnitter William C. , Kaufman Raymond , Herbst Arthur L. , Hoover Robert N. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractPrenatal diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure is associated with excess risks of clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCA), and breast cancer in older women. Whether overall cancer risk is also elevated is unclear. Total and site‐specific cancer risks were evaluated in the DES Combined Cohort Follow‐up Study using age‐ and calendar‐year specific standardized incidence rate ratios (SIR), and age‐adjusted incidence rate ratios (RR) comparing DES exposed and unexposed women. A total of 143 and 49 cancer cases occurred in 97,831 and 34,810 person‐years among the exposed and unexposed, respectively. There was no overall excess risk among exposed women when compared with external rates (SIR 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.86–1.2). The overall RR comparing exposed with unexposed women was 1.32 (95% CI 0.94–1.8). Breast cancer risk was elevated only among women over 40 years (RR 1.83; 95% CI 1.1–3.2). The CCA SIR among exposed women was nearly 40, and the estimated attack rate through age 39 was 1.6/1,000 women. CCA incidence decreased by over 80% after age 25 when compared with 20–24 years. Excluding CCA and breast cancer, the overall RR was 1.21 (95% CI 0.74–2.0). DES was not associated with excess risks of either endometrial or ovarian cancer. These data suggest that the DES associated increase in CCA incidence remains elevated through the reproductive years. There was no consistent evidence of risk excesses for cancers other than CCA, and breast cancer in older women. Given that the population is still young, continued follow‐up is necessary to assess the overall carcinogenic impact of prenatal DES exposure. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PTHrP‐induced MCP‐1 production by human bone marrow endothelial cells and osteoblasts promotes osteoclast differentiation and prostate cancer cell proliferation and invasion in vitro
Authors: Lu Yi , Xiao Guozhi , Galson Deborah L. , Nishio Yoshihiko , Mizokami Atsushi , Keller Evan T. , Yao Zhi , Zhang Jian 
Published: March 2007

AbstractProstate cancer (PCa) preferentially metastasizes to bone resulting in osteoblastic lesions with underlying osteolytic activities. The mechanisms through which PCa cells promote osteolytic activities and subsequent osteoblastic bone formation remain poorly understood. Parathyroid hormone‐related protein (PTHrP), produced by bone cells and PCa, binds to receptors on osteoblasts and stimulates bone formation and resorption. We have previously reported that MCP‐1 acts as a paracrine and autocrine factor for PCa progression. However, the role of PTHrP in regulating MCP‐1 expression in bone microenvironment, specifically by human bone marrow endothelial cells (HBME) and osteoblasts (hFOB), as well as by PCa cells, has not been studied. Accordingly, we first determined the effect of PTHrP on MCP‐1 expression by bone cells and PCa cells. PTHrP induced both MCP‐1 protein and mRNA expression by HBME and hFOB cells, but not by PCa LNCaP and PC3 cells. To further determine the mechanisms of PTHrP‐induced MCP‐1 transcription, analysis of the MCP‐1 promoter was performed. MCP‐1 promoter activity was induced by PTHrP. Both C/EBPβ and NF‐κB binding elements are required for PTHrP‐induced MCP‐1 transcription. Finally, when a constitutively‐active PTH receptor construct was transfected into HBME and hFOB cells, MCP‐1 production was increased. The conditioned media collected from these cells induced osteoclast differentiation and PC3 proliferation and invasion in vitro. These inductions were partially inhibited by MCP‐1 neutralizing antibody. We conclude that PTHrP‐induced MCP‐1 production by HBME and hFOB cells promotes osteoclast differentiation in vitro and such induction may play a critical role in PCa development in the bone microenvironment. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nanomedicine for drug delivery and imaging: A promising avenue for cancer therapy and diagnosis using targeted functional nanoparticles
Authors: Liu Yiyao , Miyoshi Hirokazu , Nakamura Michihiro 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe diagnosis and treatment of cancer or tumor at the cellular level will be greatly improved with the development of techniques that enable the delivery of analyte probes and therapeutic agents into cells and cellular compartments. Organic and inorganic nanoparticles that interface with biological systems have recently attracted widespread interest in the fields of biology and medicine. The new term nanomedicine has been used recently. Nanoparticles are considered to have the potential as novel intravascular or cellular probes for both diagnostic (imaging) and therapeutic purposes (drug/gene delivery), which is expected to generate innovations and play a critical role in medicine. Target‐specific drug/gene delivery and early diagnosis in cancer treatment is one of the priority research areas in which nanomedicine will play a vital role. Some recent breakthroughs in this field recently also proved this trend. Nanoparticles for drug delivery and imaging have gradually been developed as new modalities for cancer therapy and diagnosis. In this article, we review the significance and recent advances of gene/drug delivery to cancer cells, and the molecular imaging and diagnosis of cancer by targeted functional nanoparticles. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Osteopontin deficiency and aging on nanomechanics of mouse bone
Authors: Kavukcuoglu N. Beril , Denhardt David T. , Guzelsu Nejat , Mann Adrian B. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractOsteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of the tissue leading to increased fragility. Osteopontin (OPN), a noncollageneous bone matrix protein, has been shown to play an important role in osteoporosis, bone resorption, and mineralization. However, OPN's role in bone mechanical properties on the submicron scale has not been studied in any detail. In this study, nanoindentation techniques were utilized to investigate how OPN and aging affect bone mechanical properties. Hardness and elastic modulus were calculated and compared between the OPN‐deficient mice (OPN−/−) and their age and sex‐matched wild‐type (OPN+/+) controls. The results show that the mechanical properties of the young OPN−/− bones (age < 12 weeks) are significantly lower than that of the youngest OPN+/+ bones. This finding was confirmed by additional microindentation testing. Biochemical analysis using micro‐Raman spectroscopy indicated more mineral content in young OPN+/+ bones. Older (age > 12 weeks) bones did not show any significant differences in mechanical properties with genotype. In addition, OPN+/+ bones show a decrease in mechanical properties between young and older age groups. By contrast, OPN−/− bones showed no significant change in mechanical properties with aging. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2007
Biomedical nanocomposites of hydroxyapatite/polycaprolactone obtained by surfactant mediation
Authors: Kim Hae‐Won 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe composite approach to combining bioactive ceramic and degradable polymer is a promising strategy in the development of bone regenerative matrices. Moreover, in the fabrication of composites, the nanoscale organization of each component should improve the level of structural integration as well as the resultant mechanical and biological properties. The aim of this study was to develop a novel nanocomposite system consisting of hydroxyapatite (HA) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL), wherein the HA nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed within the PCL matrix. The strategy was based on applying an amphiphilic surfactant, oleic acid in this case, between the HA and PCL. Oleic acid, which belongs to the fatty acid family and is generally noncytotoxic at the levels used in this study, is believed to mediate the interaction between the hydrophilic HA and hydrophobic PCL. With the mediation of oleic acid, the HA nanoparticles were distributed uniformly within the PCL matrix on the nanoscale (distributed particle size of less than 1 μm), which is in marked contrast to the conventionally mixed HA‐PCL composite, in which the HA particles were severely agglomerated. The developed nanocomposite had significantly higher mechanical strength than did the conventional composite and the pure PCL. Moreover, the osteoblastic cells showed a better proliferation behavior on the nanocomposite than on the conventional composite. This HA‐PCL nanocomposite mediated by oleic acid is expected to be useful in the bone regeneration field. Moreover, this methodology is applicable to the nanocomposite processing of other biomedical materials. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2007
Cell morphology, markers, spreading, and proliferation on orthopaedic biomaterials. An innovative cellular model for the “in vitro” study
Authors: Morelli Cristina , Barbanti‐Brodano Giovanni , Ciannilli Alessandra , Campioni Katia , Boriani Stefano , Tognon Mauro 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe aims of tissue engineering are the in vitro reconstruction of functionally active tissues, and the in vivo induction of their appropriate development. The great progresses in the fields of biology and biomaterials represent key events, which allowed the recent improvement of tissue engineering. In the orthopaedic perspective, tissue engineering is focused on the development of innovative materials, whose action consists in recruiting bone progenitor cells and in stimulating their proliferation. In this context, it should remind that these materials should not only allow cells adhesion and proliferation, but also ensure that attached cells maintain the cellular properties of the original tissue. In this study, a new cellular model, suitable for the rapid in vitro determination of the above parameters, is presented. The cell model derives from a human osteosarcoma cell line, Saos‐2, which maintained the cytological features of the osteoblast cells. The cell line was genetically modified to express constitutively the enhanced green fluorescent protein. The engineered cell line Saos‐eGFP represents a suitable in vitro mode for studying the biocompatibility, the cell adhesion, spreading, and proliferation on biomaterials developed for clinical applications. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2007
Mechanisms for the magnolol‐induced cell death of CGTH W‐2 thyroid carcinoma cells
Authors: Huang Shih‐Horng , Chen Ying , Tung Po‐Yuan , Wu Jiahn‐Chun , Chen Kuo‐Hsin , Wu Jiann‐Ming , Wang Seu‐Mei 
Published: March 2007

AbstractMagnolol, a substance purified from the bark of Magnolia officialis, inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in a variety of cancer cells. The aim of this study was to study the effects of magnolol on CGTH W‐2 thyroid carcinoma cells. After 24 h treatment with 80 µM magnolol in serum‐containing medium, about 50% of the cells exhibited apoptotic features and 20% necrotic features. Cytochrome‐c staining was diffused in the cytoplasm of the apoptotic cells, but restricted to the mitochondria in control cells. Western blot analyses showed an increase in levels of activated caspases (caspase‐3 and ‐7) and of cleaved poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) by magnolol. Concomitantly, immunostaining for apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) showed a time‐dependent translocation from the mitochondria to the nucleus. Inhibition of either PARP or caspase activity blocked magnolol‐induced apoptosis, supporting the involvement of the caspases and PARP. In addition, magnolol activated phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) and inactivated Akt by decreasing levels of phosphorylated PTEN and phosphorylated Akt. These data suggest that magnolol promoted apoptosis probably by alleviating the inhibitory effect of Akt on caspase 9. Furthermore, inhibition of PARP activity, but not of caspase activity, completely prevented magnolol‐induced necrosis, suggesting the notion that it might be caused by depletion of intracellular ATP levels due to PARP activation. These results show that magnolol initiates apoptosis via the cytochrome‐c/caspase 3/PARP/AIF and PTEN/Akt/caspase 9/PARP pathways and necrosis via PARP activation. J. Cell. Biochem. 101: 1011–1022, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Enhancement of neovascularization with mobilized blood cells transplantaion: Supply of angioblasts and angiogenic cytokines
Authors: Zhou Bin , Liu Peng Xia , Lan Hai Feng , Fang Zhi Hong , Han Zhi Bo , Ren He , Poon Man‐Chiu , Han Zhong Chao 
Published: March 2007

AbstractWe have recently provided evidence that transplantation of G‐CSF mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cells (M‐PBMNCs) improves limb ischemia in diabetic patients. This method represents a simple, safe, effective, and novel therapeutic approach for diabetic ischemia. Here we investigated the mechanisms by which mobilized blood cells transplantation improves limb ischemia. Unilateral hindlimb ischemia was surgically induced in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic nude mice, and they were intramuscularly injected 106 M‐PBMNCs, or human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), PBS controls. We compared their blood‐flow restoration via laser Doppler perfusion image (LDPI), angiogenesis via histological determination of capillary density. Physiological and histological assessment revealed an acceleration of ischemia recovery and increase in capillary density with less apoptosis in M‐PBMNCs group, compared with those in HUVECs and PBS groups. In vivo noninvasive imaging and immunofluorescence revealed the survival, migration, proliferation, differentiation, and incorporation of M‐PBMNCs into foci of vessel networks. More angioblasts were from blood cells after mobilization, and they also produced a number of antiapoptotic and proagniogenic factors that promoted angiogenesis in vivo. M‐PBMNCs and its conditioned medium augmented the vessel formation in matrigel plugs in vivo. Thus, transplantation of M‐PBMNCs achieved therapeutic neovascularization via supply of abundant angioblasts and angiogenic factors. J. Cell. Biochem. 102: 183–195, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.