bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin Type 9 Is Correlated Directly with Serum LDL Cholesterol
Authors: Alborn William E , Cao Guoqing , Careskey Holly E , Qian Yue-Wei , Subramaniam Danise R , Davies Julian , Conner Elaine M , Konrad Robert J 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackground: Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is gaining attention as a key regulator of serum LDL-cholesterol (LDLC). This novel serine protease causes the degradation of hepatic LDL receptors by an unknown mechanism. In humans, gain-of-function mutations in the PCSK9 gene cause a form of familial hypercholesterolemia, whereas loss-of-function mutations result in significantly decreased LDLC and decreased cardiovascular risk. Relatively little is known about PCSK9 in human serum.Methods: We used recombinant human PCSK9 protein and 2 different anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies to build a sandwich ELISA. We measured PCSK9 and lipids in 55 human serum samples and correlated the results. We used the anti-PCSK9 antibodies to assay lipoprotein particle fractions separated by sequential flotation ultracentrifugation.Results: Serum concentrations of PCSK9 ranged from 11 to 115 μg/L and were directly correlated with serum concentrations of LDLC (r = 0.45, P = 0.001) and total cholesterol (r = 0.50, P = 0.0003), but not with triglycerides (r = 0.15, P = 0.28) or HDL cholesterol concentrations (r = 0.13, P = 0.36). PCSK9 was not detectable in any lipoprotein particle fraction, including LDL.Conclusions: PCSK9 is present in human serum, likely not associated with specific lipoprotein particles. The circulating concentrations of human PCSK9 are directly correlated with LDL and total cholesterol concentrations.
Global and local alignments in HIV/AIDS prevention trainings: A case study from Burkina Faso
Authors: Drescher Martina 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis article presents a linguistic analysis of data from an ongoing research project exploring HIV/AIDS education in West African Burkina Faso. I argue that we can identify different, sometimes even competing, discourses about the disease in prevention interactions. Thus, communication about HIV/AIDS in Burkina Faso—and probably in most of the Sub-Saharan countries—might be characterized by what I will call, with reference to Bakhtin, discursive heteroglossia. There is clear evidence of such discursive heteroglossia, that is, the participants' alignment to local and global HIV discourses, deployed in the communication of health workers. In my analysis of peer educators training sessions, I draw on theoretical and methodological principles from discourse analysis and interactional linguistics. I focus on the linguistic devices and conversational strategies the participants use to indicate the relevance of the local or the global discourses. Three particular devices—namely, metaphors, epistemic and evidential markers, and word explanations—will be examined in a more detailed way. I will also show how the local and the global interweave at different levels of prevention discourse.
More Confessed Than Unconfessed: Thoughts Gained From Teaching the Canonical Augustine
Authors: Elliott Mark W 
Published: August 2007

Zusammenfassung
Das Ziel des Artikels besteht darin, den „kanonischen“ Augustin in den Blick zu nehmen, also seine Rezeption zu betrachten, um sein Denken besser zu verstehen. Dabei ist der „offizielle“ Augustin alles andere als zahm. Die Kanonisierung beginnt bereits beim späten Augustin und setzt sich dann durch die Bedeutung für die Theologiegeschichte fort, wobei gerade die großen Werke seiner biblischen Theologie einflußreich waren. Ein Blick auf Theologen wie Johannes Scotus Eriugena, Bernhard von Clairvaux, Bonaventura, Richard von St. Victor oder Thomas erlaubt einen Einblick in die Frage, wo und wie Augustin einflußreich geworden ist und in welchem Verhältnis das Denken Augustins zu dem zahlreicher Augustininterpreten steht. Schließlich betrachtet der Artikel eine Reihe von Fehleinschätzungen der Augustinrezeption. Ab dem 19. Jh. wurde Augustin immer mehr Gegenstand von wissenschaftlicher und positionsbezogener Kritik, etwa der Feministen, aber auch von Balthasar. Der Amtsantritt eines „augustinischen“ Papstes (Benedikt XVI.) verdankt sich u.a. auch der detaillierten Arbeit von Wissenschaftlern mit dem Ziel einer augustinischen Neubegründung der Theologie, die den „kanonischen Augustin“ als den Vater eines Konzepts von göttlicher Reinigung des Willens und der Liebe als deren Frucht versteht.
Reproducibility of Direct Shear Tests Conducted on Granular Backfill Materials
Authors: Bareither Christopher A. , Benson Craig H. , Edil Tuncer B. 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Intra-laboratory and inter-laboratory testing was conducted to assess the bias, repeatability, and reproducibility of the shear strength of compacted granular backfill materials tested in direct shear using AASHTO T 236. Inter-laboratory testing was conducted by ten laboratories using four granular backfill materials. Triaxial compression tests were also conducted on the granular backfill materials to establish a reference friction angle (ϕ′) for computing bias. Comparison of failure envelopes and friction angles from the intra-laboratory study showed that the test method is highly repeatable (ϕ′±0.1°) when conducted in a single laboratory by a single operator using the same equipment. In contrast, data from the inter-laboratory study showed high variability in the failure envelopes and friction angles, with ϕ′ varying by as much as 18.2° for a given backfill. Analysis of the data from the inter-laboratory study showed that the reproducibility of direct shear tests on granular backfill is 8.8°. The bias in ϕ′ is −2.5° when area corrections are not applied and −1.5° when area corrections are applied.
Isolation of a Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cell Line with High Proliferation Potential and Its Application for Preventing Acute Fatal Liver Failure
Authors: Miyazaki Masahiro , Hardjo Marhaen , Masaka Takuro , Tomiyama Koji , Mahmut Naila , Medina Reinhold J. , Niida Aya , Sonegawa Hiroyuki , Du Gang , Yong Rong , Takaishi Mikiro , Sakaguchi Masakiyo , Huh Nam-ho 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Transplantation of hepatocytes or hepatocyte-like cells of extrahepatic origin is a promising strategy for treatment of acute and chronic liver failure. We examined possible utility of hepatocyte-like cells induced from bone marrow cells for such a purpose. Clonal cell lines were established from the bone marrow of two different rat strains. One of these cell lines, rBM25/S3 cells, grew rapidly (doubling time, ∼24 hours) without any appreciable changes in cell properties for at least 300 population doubling levels over a period of 300 days, keeping normal diploid karyotype. The cells expressed CD29, CD44, CD49b, CD90, vimentin, and fibronectin but not CD45, indicating that they are of mesenchymal cell origin. When plated on Matrigel with hepatocyte growth factor and fibroblast growth factor-4, the cells efficiently differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells that expressed albumin, cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1, CYP1A2, glucose 6-phosphatase, tryptophane-2,3-dioxygenase, tyrosine aminotransferase, hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)1α, and HNF4α. Intrasplenic transplantation of the differentiated cells prevented fatal liver failure in 90%-hepatectomized rats. In conclusion, a clonal stem cell line derived from adult rat bone marrow could differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells, and transplantation of the differentiated cells could prevent fatal liver failure in 90%-hepatectomized rats. The present results indicate a promising strategy for treating human fatal liver diseases.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Spinal GABAergic Transplants Attenuate Mechanical Allodynia in a Rat Model of Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Mukhida Karim , Mendez Ivar , McLeod Marcus , Kobayashi Nao , Haughn Christopher , Milne Brian , Baghbaderani Behnam , Sen Arindom , Behie Leo A. , Hong Murray 
Published: August 2007

AbstractInjury to the spinal cord or peripheral nerves can lead to the development of allodynia due to the loss of inhibitory tone involved in spinal sensory function. The potential of intraspinal transplants of GABAergic cells to restore inhibitory tone and thus decrease pain behaviors in a rat model of neuropathic pain was investigated. Allodynia of the left hind paw was induced in rats by unilateral L5– 6 spinal nerve root ligation. Mechanical sensitivity was assessed using von Frey filaments. Postinjury, transgenic fetal green fluorescent protein mouse GABAergic cells or human neural precursor cells (HNPCs) expanded in suspension bioreactors and differentiated into a GABAergic phenotype were transplanted into the spinal cord. Control rats received undifferentiated HNPCs or cell suspension medium only. Animals that received either fetal mouse GABAergic cell or differentiated GABAergic HNPC intraspinal transplants demonstrated a significant increase in paw withdrawal thresholds at 1 week post-transplantation that was sustained for 6 weeks. Transplanted fetal mouse GABAergic cells demonstrated immunoreactivity for glutamic acid decarboxylase and GABA that colocalized with green fluorescent protein. Intraspinally transplanted differentiated GABAergic HNPCs demonstrated immunoreactivity for GABA and β-III tubulin. In contrast, intraspinal transplantation of undifferentiated HNPCs, which predominantly differentiated into astrocytes, or cell suspension medium did not affect any behavioral recovery. Intraspinally transplanted GABAergic cells can reduce allodynia in a rat model of neuropathic pain. In addition, HNPCs expanded in a standardized fashion in suspension bioreactors and differentiated into a GABAergic phenotype may be an alternative to fetal cells for cell-based therapies to treat chronic pain syndromes.Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Ecological comments on the intestinal helminths of the rabbitfish Siganus rivulatus (Teleostei, Siganidae) from the northern Red Sea
Authors: Hassanine Reda , Al-Jahdali Mohammed 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBetween May and September 2006, 640 specimens of the rabbitfish Siganus rivulatus Forsskål (Teleostei, Siganidae) were examined for infections with intestinal helminths. These fishes were caught in the Red Sea off the coast of Sharm El-Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt, examined in a field laboratory and separated into three size groups of regular length intervals. Only three species of helminths were recovered: the trematode Gyliauchen volubilis Nagaty, 1956 (Gyliauchenidae Fukui, 1929), the acanthocephalan Sclerocollum rubrimaris Schmidt et Paperna, 1978 (Cavisomidae Meyer, 1932) and the nematode Procamallanus elatensis Fusco et Overstreet, 1979 (Cucullanidae Cobbold, 1864). The distribution of these helminths along the intestine of S. rivulatus, in all patterns of single and concurrent infections and the corresponding prevalences and intensities of infection in the different size groups of the fish were recorded. In single infections, each parasite species was found distributed in a well-defined fundamental niche along the intestine of Siganus rivulatus, and a distinct partial overlap between the niches of G. volubilis and Sclerocollum rubrimaris was observed. In concurrent infections with these two species, their fundamental niches were significantly reduced, probably being affected by interactive site segregation and individuals of each species were found segregated in a restricted realised niche. In all other patterns of concurrent infections, each parasite species was normally found in its original fundamental niche. The prevalences of these parasites in the fish examined were relatively low and somewhat similar. In all patterns of single and concurrent infections, the intensity of infection was directly related to fish size. In concurrent infection with G. volubilis and S. rubrimaris, a significant decline was observed in the intensities of both species in the different size groups of the fish, but, in all other patterns of concurrent infections, no significant change in intensity was observed. These observations suggest that the interaction between G. volubilis and S. rubrimaris is probably a negative and symmetrical one. The mode of transmission of these parasites to the fish is also discussed.
Two new species of Cameronia Basir, 1948 (Oxyurida, Thelastomatoidea, Thelastomatidae) from Manipur, North-East India
Authors: Shah Mohammad 
Published: August 2007

AbstractDuring a survey of insect nematodes from Manipur, two new species of nematodes parasitic in the hindgut of mole cricket Gryllotalpa africana were recovered. The two new species are designated as Cameronia triovata sp. nov. and Cameronia manipurensis sp. nov. C. triovata sp. nov. is characterized by presence of three eggs which are fused on lateral sides by ridges and furrows and presence of polar egg filaments while in C. manipurensis sp. nov., the eggs are more than five in one group and attached simply one upon another. A comparative measurement chart (see Table I) as well as key to the species of Cameronia have been provided. The diagnosis of the genus has been emended in order to accommodate the two new species.
Photoinduced Tuning of Optical Stop Bands in Azopolymer Based Inverse Opal Photonic Crystals
Authors: Hong J.‐C. , Park J.‐H. , Chun C. , Kim D.‐Y. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractPhoto‐tunable photonic crystals were prepared from three dimensional (3D) colloidal crystal templates using a photoresponsive azopolymer. For the preparation of azopolymer infiltrated photonic crystals, silica colloidal crystals were fabricated by gravity sedimentation, a self‐assembly technique. The interstitial voids between colloidal particles were filled with azopolymer and azopolymer inverse opals were produced by treatment with aqueous hydrofluoric acid. These photonic crystals exhibited stop bands in their transmission spectra measured in the normal incidence to the (111) plane of face centered cubic (fcc). The photonic bandgap of the azopolymer infiltrated opal and inverse opal could be controlled by the refractive index change due to the photoinduced orientation of azobenzene chromophores. When the azopolymer photonic crystals were irradiated with linearly polarized light, their bandgap positions were shifted to shorter wavelength regions with increasing irradiation time. This behavior experimentally produced a photoinduced orientation of the azobenzene groups in parallel with the incidence of the excitation light. Through such an out‐of‐plane orientation of azo chromophores, parallel to the [111] fcc crystallographic axis, the effective refractive index of the photonic crystal medium was decreased. Therefore, a blue‐shift in bandgap positions was consequently induced with 20–40 nm tuning ranges. The out‐of‐plane orientation was confirmed by angular resolved absorption spectral measurements.
Energy‐Modulated Heterostructures Made with Conjugated Polymers for Directional Energy Transfer and Carrier Confinement
Authors: Favarim H. R. , Spadacio D. , Faceto A. D. , Zucolotto V. , Oliveira O. N. , Guimarães F. E. G. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractIn this paper we demonstrate that multilayer structures with modulated bandgaps can be used for efficient energy transfer and carrier confinement inside a nanostructured film of a light‐emitting polymer. The films were produced with the layer‐by‐layer technique (LbL) with a poly(p‐phenylene vinylene) (PPV) precursor and a long chain dodecylbenzenesulfonate ion (DBS). DBS is incorporated selectively into the precursor chain, and with a rapid, low temperature conversion process (100 °C) superstructures with variable HOMO–LUMO gap could be formed along the deposition direction by changing the DBS concentration. Structures with different stair‐type energy modulations were produced, which are thermally stable and reproducible, as demonstrated by UV‐VIS. absorption measurements. Energy differences of up to 0.5 eV between the lowest and highest conjugated layers inside the stair structure could be achieved, which was sufficient to guide the excitation over long distances to the lower bandgap layer.
Carbon Nanotube Coatings on Bioglass‐Based Tissue Engineering Scaffolds
Authors: Boccaccini A. R. , Chicatun F. , Cho J. , Bretcanu O. , Roether J. A. , Novak S. , Chen Q. Z. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe coating of highly porous Bioglass® based 3D scaffolds with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) was investigated. Foam like Bioglass® scaffolds were fabricated by the replica technique and electrophoretic deposition was used to deposit homogeneous layers of CNT throughout the scaffold pore structure. The optimal experimental conditions were determined to be: applied voltage 15 V and deposition time 20 minutes, utilizing a concentrated aqueous suspension of CNT with addition of a surfactant and iodine. The scaffold pore structure remained invariant after the CNT coating, as assessed by SEM. The incorporation of CNTs induced a nanostructured internal surface of the pores which is thought to be beneficial for osteoblast cell attachment and proliferation. Bioactivity of the scaffolds was assessed by immersion studies in simulated body fluid (SBF) for periods of up to 2 weeks and the subsequent determination of hydroxyapatite (HA) formation. The presence of CNTs can enhance the bioactive behaviour of the scaffolds since CNTs can serve as template for the ordered formation of a nanostructured HA layers, which does not occur on uncoated Bioglass® surfaces.
Enhanced Ionic Conductivity in Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9: Unique Effect of Calcium Co‐doping
Authors: Banerjee S. , Devi P. S. , Topwal D. , Mandal S. , Menon K. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractIn order to identify new oxide ion‐conducting materials in the ceria family of oxides, the unique effect of co‐doping is explored and a novel series of Ce0.8Sm0.2–xCaxO2–δ compositions is identified that have enhanced properties compared to the single‐doped Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 and Ce0.8Ca0.2O1.9 compositions. Moreover, the superior characteristics of the co‐doped Ce0.8Sm0.2–xCaxO2–δ powders prepared by the mixed‐fuel process aid in obtaining 98 % dense ceramics upon sintering at 1200 °C for 6 h. Though a linear increase in conductivity is observed by replacing Sm with Ca, the composition with the maximum amount of Ca and the minimum amount of Sm exhibits a significant improvement in properties compared to the rest in the series. The composition Ce0.80Sm0.05Ca0.15O2–δ exhibits a conductivity as high as 1.22 × 10–1 S cm–1 at 700 °C with minimum activation energy (0.56 eV) and a superior chemical stability to reduction compared to any of the hitherto known (CaSm) compositions. The absence of CeIII, confirmed both from X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, strongly suggests that the observed increase in conductivity is solely due to the oxide ion conductivity and not due to the partial electronic contribution arising from the presence of CeIII and CeIV. To conclude, the experimental results on the Ce0.8Sm0.2–xCaxO2–δ series underscore the unique effect of calcium co‐doping in identifying a cost‐effective new composition, with a remarkably high conductivity and enhanced chemical stability to reduction, for technological applications.
Tunable Synthesis of Various Wurtzite ZnS Architectural Structures and Their Photocatalytic Properties
Authors: Xiong S. , Xi B. , Wang C. , Xu D. , Feng X. , Zhu Z. , Qian Y. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractSemiconductor ZnS with novel and complex 3D architectures such as nanorods (or nanowires) networks, urchinlike nanosturctures, nearly monodisperse nanospheres self‐assembled from nanorods and 1D nanostructures (rods and wires) had been synthesized in a binary solution by controlling the reaction conditions, such as the volume ratio of the mixed solvents and the reaction temperature. The morphology of ZnS changed from 3D architectural structures to 1D rodlike (or wirelike) shape when the temperature was increased from 160 to 200–240 °C. The possible growth mechanisms for the formation of nanospheres self‐assembled from nanorods are tentatively discussed according to the experimental results. The photocatalytic activity of various ZnS nanostructures has been tested by degradation of acid fuchsine under infrared light compared to that of commercial ZnS powders under infrared‐light irradiation and commercial TiO2 powders under UV‐light irradiation, indicating that the as‐obtained ZnS nanostructures exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity for degradation of acid fuchsine.
Stimuli‐Responsive Colloidal Systems from Mixed Brush‐Coated Nanoparticles
Authors: Motornov M. , Sheparovych Ro. , Lupitskyy R. , MacWilliams E. , Hoy O. , Luzinov I. , Minko S. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractWe report on the application of mixed polymer brushes to the reversible in situ switching colloidal systems (suspensions of responsive 200 nm in diameter particles in individual solvents and immiscible liquids). We used mixed copolymer brushes to fabricate responsive nanoparticles and employed the particles to prepare responsive colloidal systems, which demonstrated drastic transformation/switching of material properties upon external stimuli. The interaction between the particles themselves and the particles and their environment can be precisely tuned by a change of solvent and pH. We show that this behavior can be used for a reversible formation of particle aggregates, stabilization and switching between w/o and o/w emulsions, and regulation of the particle transport between immiscible liquids across the interface. We demonstrate an example of the application of the responsive colloids for the fabrication of ultrahydrophobic coatings with textured surfaces from aqueous dispersion, and no surfactant application, using the switching properties of the responsive particles.
Nanophase ZnCo2O4 as a High Performance Anode Material for Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Sharma Y. , Sharma N. , Subba Rao G. V. , Chowdari B. V. R. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractZnCo2O4 has been synthesized by the low‐temperature and cost‐effective urea combustion method. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), HR‐TEM and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) studies confirmed its formation in pure and nano‐phase form with particle size ∼ 15–20 nm. Galvanostatic cycling of nano‐ZnCo2O4 in the voltage range 0.005–3.0 V versus Li at 60 mA g–1 gave reversible capacities of 900 and 960 mA h g–1, when cycled at 25 °C and 55 °C, respectively. These values correspond to ∼ 8.3 and ∼ 8.8 mol of recyclable Li per mole of ZnCo2O4. Almost stable cycling performance was exhibited in the range 5–60 cycles at 60 mA g–1 and at 25 °C with ∼ 98 % coulombic efficiency. A similar cycling stability at 55 °C, and good rate‐capability both at 25 and 55 °C were found. The average discharge‐ and charge‐potentials were ∼ 1.2 V and ∼ 1.9 V, respectively. The ex‐situ‐XRD, ‐HRTEM, ‐SAED and galvanostatic cycling data are consistent with a reaction mechanism for Li‐recyclability involving both de‐alloying‐alloying of Zn and displacement reactions, viz., LiZn ↔ Zn ↔ ZnO and Co ↔ CoO ↔ Co3O4. For the first time we have shown that both Zn‐ and Co‐ions act as mutual beneficial matrices and reversible capacity contribution of Zn through both alloy formation and displacement reaction takes place to yield stable and high capacities. Thus, nano‐ZnCo2O4 ranks among the best oxide materials with regard to Li‐recyclability.
Fabrication of Silicon Inverse Woodpile Photonic Crystals
Authors: Hermatschweiler M. , Ledermann A. , Ozin G. A. , Wegener M. , von Freymann G. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractSilicon inverse woodpile photonic crystals are fabricated for the first time. Our approach, which is based on direct laser writing of polymeric templates and a novel silicon single‐inversion procedure, leads to high‐quality structures with gap/midgap ratios of 14.2 %, centered at a wavelength of 2.5 μm. It is shown that gap/midgap ratios as large as 20.5 %, centered at 1.55 μm, may become possible in the future.