bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
N‐terminal Pro‐brain Natriuretic Peptide in the Elderly with Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Szadkowska Iwona , Goch Jan Henryk , Kawiński Janusz , Chiżyński Krzysztof 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackgroundThe myocardial infarction (MI) results in the change of the levels of N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) in blood. In addition, attention is paid to the dependence of NT‐proBNP levels on the patients' age. However, the behavior of natriuretic peptide levels has not been recognized well enough in the elderly with MI treated with invasive methods.HypothesisThe aim of the study was to estimate the effect of age on NT‐proBNP levels in patients with first MI, and treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with complete coronary revascularization.MethodsOne hundred and sixty‐one consecutive patients with first ST‐elevation MI, and treated with primary PCI with stent implantation (occlusion in infarct‐related artery was the patient's only lession) were included. Determination of NT‐proBNP level and echocardiography were performed on the 4th‐5th day of MI.ResultsThirty‐seven patients (23%) aged ≥ 65 y were considered as a study group. The NT‐proBNP levels were nearly 4‐fold higher in older patients than in younger patients. Only systolic and diastolic dysfunction, mitral regurgitation, troponin T levels, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were independent risk factors of the occurrence of elevated NT‐proBNP concentration above median.ConclusionsThe patients' age was not a factor independently affecting the increase of NT‐proBNP level above the median in patients with first MI and treated successfully with primary PCI. Independently associated elevated levels of NT‐proBNP were as follows: presence of diastolic dysfunction, mitral regurgitation, left ventricular systolic dysfunction, troponin T concentration, and GFR. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genetic Programming‐Based Empirical Model for Daily Reference Evapotranspiration Estimation
Authors: Guven Aytac , Aytek Ali , Yuce Mehmet Ishak , Aksoy Hafzullah 
Published: September 2008

AbstractGenetic programming (GP) is presented as a new tool for the estimation of reference evapotranspiration by using daily atmospheric variables obtained from the California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS) database. The variables employed in the model are daily solar radiation, daily mean temperature, average daily relative humidity and wind speed. The results obtained are compared to seven conventional reference evapotranspiration models including: (1) the Penman‐Monteith equation modified by CIMIS, (2) the Penman‐Monteith equation modified by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO 56), (3) the Hargreaves‐Samani equation, (4) the solar radiation‐based ET0 equation, (5) the Jensen‐Haise equation, (6) the Jones‐Ritchie equation, and (7) the Turc method. Statistical measures such as average, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values, as well as criteria such as mean square error and determination coefficient are used to measure the performance of the model developed by employing GP. Statistics and scatter plots indicate that the new equation produces quite satisfactorily results and can be used as an alternative to the conventional models.
Accurate pre‐operative localization of pathological parathyroid glands using 11C‐methionine PET/CT
Authors: Tang Bich‐Ngoc‐Thanh , Moreno‐Reyes Rodrigo , Blocklet Didier , Corvilain Bernard , Cappello Matteo , Delpierre Isabelle , Devuyst France , Van Simaeys Gaetan , Goldman Serge 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjectiveThe pre‐operative technique most routinely used to localize pathological parathyroid glands (PPG), prior to minimal access surgery (MAS), relies on 99mTc‐sestamibi (MIBI) scintigraphy. Positron emission tomography (PET) using the radiolabelled amino acid 11C‐methionine as the tracer agent offers a technological alternative to localize PPG. In this study we evaluated the sensitivity of 11C‐methionine PET/CT (MET‐PET/CT) for PPG detection and the extent to which MET‐PET/CT images may contribute to the planning of surgical procedures.DesignThirty patients were included, 22 with primary hyperparathyroidism and eight with secondary hyperparathyroidism. Patients suspected of suffering from parathyroid hyperplasia underwent a complete surgical exploration of the neck region. In those suspected of parathyroid adenoma, surgery was limited to the presumed localization described by MET‐PET/CT. To specifically address the additional benefit of the MET‐PET/CT in terms of surgical planning and procedure, the surgeon classified the patients into two categories depending on the type of benefit, or the reason for the absence of benefit, occurring in each case. We also compared the sensitivity of MET‐PET/CT and MIBI scintigraphy.ResultsThe total number of lesions removed was 46 (24 adenomatous and 22 hyperplastic). Globally, MET‐PET/CT provided additional benefit to surgery in 15 out of 30 cases (50%). The sensitivity of 11C‐methionine PET/CT and MIBI scintigraphy was respectively 92% and 95% for adenoma, and 68% and 59% for hyperplasia, on the basis of available resected lesions.ConclusionMET‐PET/CT appears a reliable technique to guide MAS of parathyroid glands. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Calbindin‐D28k and calretinin expression in the forebrain of anuran and urodele amphibians: Further support for newly identified subdivisions
Authors: Morona Ruth , González Agustin 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA general pattern of organization of the forebrain shared by amphibians, mainly anurans, and amniotes has been proposed considering the relative topography of the territories, their connectivity, and their neurochemistry. These criteria were needed because the amphibians possess limited cell migration from the ventricle that precludes a parcellation into circumscribed nuclei. In the present study we have tested the identity of most newly described forebrain territories in anurans and urodeles with regard to their content in calbindin‐D28k (CB) and calretinin (CR). By means of immunohistochemistry, these proteins were demonstrated to be particularly abundant and specifically distributed in the amphibian forebrain and were extremely useful markers for delineating nuclear boundaries otherwise indistinguishable. In the telencephalon, labeled cells in the pallium allowed the identification of particular regions with marked differences between anurans and urodeles, whereas the subpallium showed more conservative patterns of distribution. In particular, the components of the amygdaloid complex and the basal ganglia were distinctly labeled. The distribution in the nonevaginated secondary prosencephalon and diencephalon showed abundant common features between anurans and urodeles, highlighted using the prosomeric model for the comparison. In the pretectum, thalamus, and prethalamus of urodeles, the CB and CR staining was particularly suitable for the identification of diverse structures within the simple periventricular gray layer. However, the analysis across species also revealed a considerable degree of heterogeneity, even within comparatively well‐defined neuronal populations. Therefore, the content of a particular calcium binding protein in a neuronal group is not a fully reliable criterion for considering homologies. J. Comp. Neurol. 511:187–220, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A simplified meshless method for cohesive cracks
Authors: Zhang Y. Y. , Gao L. S. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractWe present a discrete rotating crack method embedded in the element‐free Galerkin method. The crack is represented by discrete cohesive crack segments only passing through nodes. The discrete crack segments are introduced when the tensile strength in the material is exceeded and the crack segments are perpendicular to the direction of the maximum principal stress. The orientation of the crack segments is rotated when directional changes in the maximum principal stress occur. It will be shown that fixed crack models lead to over‐smearing the crack and too stiff responses of the system. The advantage of this method is that no representation of the crack surface is needed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coupling integrated Earth System Model components with BFG2
Authors: Armstrong C. W. , Ford R. W. , Riley G. D. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractGENIE is a suite of modular Earth System Model components coupled in a variety of configurations used to investigate climate phenomena. As part of the GENIEfyproject, there is a desire to make the activity of coupling GENIE configurations more flexible in order to ease the integration of new components, permit experimentation with alternative model orderings and connectivity, and execute GENIE components in distributed environments. The current coupling framework is inflexible because models are run in a fixed order by a prescriptive main code. This paper shows how the BFG2 (Bespoke Framework Generator—version 2) coupling tool offers significantly more flexibility. Using BFG2, scientists describe GENIE configurations as metadata that can then be transformed automatically into the desired framework. It is demonstrated that BFG2 provides flexibility in composition and deployment, improvements that are brought without modification to the GENIE components, without loss of performance and in a such a manner that it is possible to produce exactly the same results as under the original framework. We also demonstrate how BFG2 may be used to improve the performance of future GENIE coupled models. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fault tolerant and prioritized scheduling in OGSA‐based mobile Grids
Authors: Litke Antonios , Halkos Dimitrios , Tserpes Konstantinos , Kyriazis Dimosthenis , Varvarigou Theodora 
Published: September 2008

AbstractGrids and mobile Grids can form the basis and the enabling technology for pervasive and utility computing due to their ability to being open, highly heterogeneous and scalable. In this paper we present a scheme for advancing quality of service (QoS) attributes, such as fault tolerance and prioritized scheduling, in OGSA‐based mobile Grids. The fault tolerance is achieved by producing and managing sufficient replicas of tasks submitted for execution on the mobile Grid resources. We design a simple and efficient prioritization scheme, which allows the scheduling of the tasks submitted by the Grid users as distinguished priorities that can be managed and exploited as a QoS parameter by the Grid infrastructure operator. The results that are presented show the efficiency of the proposed scheme in being simple and additionally enriching with reliability and QoS features the applications that are built on the concept of mobile Grids. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An algorithm for dissemination and retrieval of information in wireless ad hoc networks
Authors: Miranda H. , Leggio S. , Rodrigues L. , Raatikainen K. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractReplication of data items among different nodes of a wireless infrastructure‐less network may be an efficient technique to increase data availability and improve data access latency. This paper proposes a novel algorithm to distribute data items among nodes in these networks. The goal of the algorithm is to deploy the replicas of the data items in such a way that they are sufficiently distant from each other to prevent excessive redundancy but, simultaneously, they remain close enough to each participant, such that data retrieval can be achieved using a small number of messages. The paper describes the algorithm and provides its performance evaluation for different configurations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A metric of fairness for parallel job schedulers
Authors: Ngubiri John , van Vliet Mario 
Published: September 2008

AbstractFairness is an important aspect in queuing systems. Several fairness measures have been proposed in queuing systems in general and parallel job scheduling in particular. Generally, a scheduler is considered unfair if some jobs are discriminated whereas others are favored. Some of the metrics used to measure fairness for parallel job schedulers can imply unfairness where there is no discrimination (and vice versa). This makes them inappropriate. In this paper, we show how the existing approach misrepresents fairness in practice. We then propose a new approach for measuring fairness for parallel job schedulers. Our approach is based on two principles: (i) as jobs have different resource requirements and find different queue/system states, they need not have the same performance for the scheduler to be fair and (ii) to compare two schedulers for fairness, we make comparisons of how the schedulers favor/discriminate individual jobs. We use performance and discrimination trends to validate our approach. We observe that our approach can deduce discrimination more accurately. This is true even in cases where the most discriminated jobs are not the worst performing jobs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adsorption of Poly(rA) on the Carbon Nanotube Surface and its Hybridization with Poly(rU)
Authors: Karachevtsev Victor A. , Gladchenko Galyna O. , Karachevtsev Maksym V. , Valeev Vladimir A. , Leontiev Victor S. , Lytvyn Oksana S. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAdsorption of poly(rA) on a single‐walled carbon nanotube surface in aqueous suspension and the subsequent hybridization of this polymer with free poly(rU) is studied. A comparison of the temperature dependence of the absorbance of free poly(rA) and poly(rA) adsorbed on the nanotube surface [poly(rA)NT] at νmax=38 500 cm−1 shows that the thermostability of the adsorbed polymer is higher. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate that more than half of the adenines are not stacked on the tube surface and some of them undergo self‐stacking. After addition of a complementary poly(rU) to the poly(rA)NT suspension, a double‐stranded polymer is formed as confirmed by the characteristic S‐like form of its melting curve. However, the melting temperature of this polymer is lower than that of the free poly(rA)⋅poly(rU) duplex. This result indicates that poly(rU) hybridization with poly(rA)NT occurs with defects along the whole length of the polymer because of π–π stacking between nitrogen bases and the nanotube surface, which hinders the usual hybridization process. Computer modeling demonstrates different possible structures of hybridized polymers on the nanotube surface.
Electric‐Field Distribution at the End of a Charged Capillary—A Coupling Imaging Study
Authors: Wang Kang , Jia Wen‐Zhi , Xia Xing‐Hua 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe electric‐field distribution at the end of a charged capillary system is detected using a scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) coupling imaging mode. A theoretical model based on the resistance of solution at the capillary end describes the three‐dimensional distribution of the electric field. The effect of the detection electrode position and separation high voltage on solution potential is observed and analyzed. Results demonstrate that the electric field at the end‐channel shows an isopotential contour changing from a disk shape into a hemispherical shape when leaving the capillary opening. The solution potential decreases along the central axis of the capillary to the detection reservoir. In the same scanning plane, the solution potential decreases along the radial direction. Increase of the separation high voltage results in the increase of the absolute solution potential but does not change the relative spatial electric‐field distribution.
An Organometallic Approach for Very Small Maghemite Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Glaria Arnaud , Kahn Myrtil L. , Falqui Andrea , Lecante Pierre , Collière Vincent , Respaud Marc , Chaudret Bruno 
Published: September 2008

AbstractMaghemite (γ‐Fe2O3) nanoparticles stabilized by long‐alkyl‐chain amines are synthesized by using an organometallic approach. This method consists of the hydrolysis and oxidation of an organometallic precursor, Fe[N(SiMe3)2]2, in the presence of amine ligands as stabilizing agent in an organic solvent, namely tetrahydrofuran or toluene. Whatever the experimental conditions, particles with a diameter of 2.8 nm are obtained. The use of high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering, together with Mössbauer spectroscopy and SQuId magnetometry, allows a complete characterization of these particles. Herein, we show that their structure is composed of a well‐ordered core surrounded by a more disordered shell. The size of the latter varies from 0.65 to 0.50 nm depending on the experimental conditions and is of prime importance for the understanding of the magnetic properties. We demonstrate that the shorter the alkyl chain length of the amine 1) the better the crystallinity of the particle’s core and 2) the stronger the interparticle interactions.
Tracking antigen‐driven responses by flow cytometry: Monitoring proliferation by dye dilution
Authors: Wallace Paul K. , Tario Joseph D. , Fisher Jan L. , Wallace Stephen S. , Ernstoff Marc S. , Muirhead Katharine A. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractCell‐tracking reagents such as the green‐fluorescent protein labeling dye CFSE and the red‐fluorescent lipophilic membrane dye PKH26 are commonly used to monitor cell proliferation by flow cytometry in heterogeneous cell populations responding to immune stimuli. Both reagents stain cells with a bright homogeneous fluorescence, which is partitioned between daughter cells during each cell division. Because daughter cell fluorescence intensities are approximately halved after each division, the intensity of a cell relative to its intensity at the time of staining provides information about how many divisions it has undergone. Knowing how many rounds of division have occurred and the relative number of cells in each daughter generation, one can back‐calculate the number of cells in the original population (i.e., cells present at the time of stimulus) that went on to respond by proliferating. Using this information, the precursor cell frequencies and extent of expansion to a specific antigen or mitogen of interest can be calculated. Concurrently, the phenotype of the cells can be determined, as well as their ability to bind antigen or synthesize cytokines, providing more detailed characterization of all cells responding to the antigen, not just effector cells. In multiparameter flow cytometric experiments to simultaneously analyze antigen‐specific tetramer binding, cytokine production and T‐cell proliferation, we found that only approximately half of the cells that exhibited specific binding to influenza tetramer also proliferated, as measured by dye dilution, and synthesized IFNγ in response to antigen. We expect the advent of new cell tracking dyes emitting from the violet to the near infrared combined with the increasing number of lasers and detectors on contemporary flow cytometers to further expand the usefulness of this approach to characterization of complex antigen‐driven immunological responses. © 2008 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Macrophages in the embryo and beyond: Much more than just giant phagocytes
Authors: Ovchinnikov Dmitry A. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractOriginally recognized as an essential part of the innate and acquired immune systems, macrophages emerged as omnipresent and influential regulators of embryo‐ and organo‐genesis, as well as of tissue and tumor growth. Macrophages are present essentially in all tissues, beginning with embryonic development and, in addition to their role in host defense and in the clearance of apoptotic cells, are being increasingly recognized for their trophic function and role in regeneration. Some tissue macrophages are also found to posses a substantial potential for autonomous self‐renewal. Macrophages are associated with a significant proportion of malignant tumors and are widely recognized for their angiogenesis‐promoting and trophic roles, making them one of the new promising targets for cancer therapies. Recent expression profiling of embryonic macrophages from different tissues revealed remarkable consistency of their gene expression profiles, independent of their tissue of origin, as well as their similarities with tumor‐associated macrophages. Macrophages are also capable of fusion with other cells in tissue repair and metastasizing tumors, as well as with each other in the immune response and osteoclastogenesis. genesis 46:447–462, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Generation of Cyp17iCre transgenic mice and their application to conditionally delete estrogen receptor alpha (Esr1) from the ovary and testis
Authors: Bridges Phillip J. , Koo Yongbum , Kang Dong‐Wook , Hudgins‐Spivey Susan , Lan Zi‐Jian , Xu Xueping , DeMayo Francesco , Cooney Austin , Ko CheMyong 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA transgenic mouse line that expresses iCre under regulation of the Cytochrome P450 17α‐hydroxylase/17, 20‐lyase (Cyp17) promoter was developed as a novel transgenic mouse model for the conditional deletion of genes specifically in the theca/interstitial cells of the ovary and Leydig cells of the testis. In this report, we describe the development of Cyp17iCre mice and the application of these mice for conditional deletion of the estrogen receptor alpha (Esr1) gene in the theca/interstitial and Leydig cells of the female and male gonad, respectively. These mice will prove a powerful tool to inactivate genes in the gonad in a cell‐specific manner. genesis 46:499‐505, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Emulsifier type, metal chelation and pH affect oxidative stability of n‐3‐enriched emulsions
Authors: Haahr Anne‐Mette , Jacobsen Charlotte 
Published: September 2008

AbstractRecent research has shown that the oxidative stability of oil‐in‐water emulsions is affected by the type of surfactant used as emulsifier. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of real food emulsifiers as well as metal chelation by EDTA and pH on the oxidative stability of a 10% n‐3‐enriched oil‐in‐water emulsion. The selected food emulsifiers were Tween 80, Citrem, sodium caseinate and lecithin. Lipid oxidation was evaluated by determination of peroxide values and secondary volatile oxidation products. Moreover, the zeta potential and the droplet sizes were determined. Tween resulted in the least oxidatively stable emulsions, followed by Citrem. When iron was present, caseinate‐stabilized emulsions oxidized slower than lecithin emulsions at pH 3, whereas the opposite was the case at pH 7. Oxidation generally progressed faster at pH 3 than at pH 7, irrespective of the addition of iron. EDTA generally reduced oxidation, as evaluated by volatiles formation in all emulsions, irrespective of pH and emulsifier type, except in the lecithin and caseinate emulsions where a pro‐oxidative effect was observed for some volatiles. The different effects of the emulsifier types could be related to their ability to chelate iron, scavenge free radicals, interfere with interactions between the lipid hydroperoxides and iron as well as to form a physical barrier around the oil droplets.