bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human herpesvirus 8 seroprevalence among Tobago women and the role of sexual lifestyle behavior
Authors: McDonald Alicia C. , Ragin Camille C. , Jenkins Frank J. , Weissfeld Joel , Wilson John , Wheeler Victor W. , Wilson Jaquie B. , Bunker Clareann H. , Taioli Emanuela 
Published: December 2008

AbstractHuman herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8) infection is present in 22.9% of Tobago men. However, seroprevalence and modes of transmission of HHV‐8 among Tobago women are not known. HHV‐8 seropositivity rates in Tobago women were examined and compared rates to Tobago men of similar ages. To assess possible modes of transmission, sexual behavior among Tobago women was examined to determine its association with HHV‐8 seropositivity. A cross‐sectional study was conducted in 213 Tobago women, ages 18–65 years, who participated in the Tobago Cervical and Oral Cancer Screening Study. HHV‐8 seropositivity was determined by a monoclonal immunofluorescence assay. Age‐specific rates were compared to those previously observed in men. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between HHV‐8 seropositivity and sexual behavior among the women. HHV‐8 seroprevalence among Tobago women was 14.1% (95% CI, 10–19%), with no significant difference with men of similar age (P‐value = 0.741). Age ≤17 years at first sexual intercourse was found to have a minimal significant association with HHV‐8 seropositivity (OR = 2.51, 95% CI = 1.09–5.78) in women. HHV‐8 age‐specific rates were similar between genders. Sexual activity may not be a major contributor to HHV‐8 infection among Tobago women. J. Med. Virol. 81:264–270, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular characterization of rotaviruses, noroviruses, sapovirus, and adenoviruses in patients with acute gastroenteritis in Thailand
Authors: Kittigul Leera , Pombubpa Kannika , Taweekate Yuthana , Yeephoo Thanapat , Khamrin Pattara , Ushijima Hiroshi 
Published: December 2008

AbstractOutbreaks of viral gastroenteritis occur worldwide including Thailand. Unfortunately, there is limited information since etiologic agents have not been identified in several outbreaks of nonbacterial gastroenteritis. The genotype of enteric viruses causing acute gastroenteritis in Thailand was determined using reverse transcription‐multiplex polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. From January 2006 to February 2007, stool samples were collected from patients with acute gastroenteritis of all age groups attending a hospital in Thailand, and patients with nonbacterial acute gastroenteritis (262 patients) were tested for enteric viruses. The overall positive detection rate of enteric viruses was 14.9%; group A rotaviruses (6.1%), noroviruses (6.5%): GI (0.8%) and GII (5.7%), adenoviruses (1.5%), and sapoviruses (0.8%) were found. Group B and C rotaviruses, and astroviruses were not detected in the enrolled patients. Viral acute gastroenteritis occurred in children less than 15 years of age (25.2%, 33/131) with higher frequency than in adults (4.6%, 6/131),P‐value <0.001. Rotavirus G1 was the most predominant genotype, followed by G3, and G9. Among noroviruses, GI‐2 was identified; whereas, GII was predominant with a high frequency of GII‐4 observed, followed by GII‐16, GII‐2, GII‐3, and GII‐12. Sapovirus GII‐3 and human adenoviruses were identified. This study suggests that enteric viruses play an essential role in patients with acute gastroenteritis attending hospital and mainly in children who have a higher prevalence of group A rotaviruses and noroviruses. The genetic analyses provide molecular epidemiological data for viruses important to public health. J. Med. Virol. 81:345–353, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of tick‐borne encephalitis virus in Ixodes Ricinus from a novel endemic area of North Eastern Italy
Authors: D'Agaro P. , Martinelli E. , Burgnich P. , Nazzi F. , Del Fabbro S. , Iob A. , Ruscio M. , Pischiutti P. , Campello C. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractIn Alpine area of extreme North Eastern Italy the first autochthonous case of TBE was reported in 1998 and was followed by 45 cases during the period 2001–2007, thus defining this area as definitely endemic. An ecological survey evaluated the tick density and the Tick‐borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection prevalence in tick collected in selected sites. In addition, TBE strains were characterized by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Overall, 2,361 ticks (2,198 nymphs and 163 adults) of the Ixodes ricinus L. species collected during 2005 and 2006 were examined. Five samples were positive for TBEV, corresponding to an overall prevalence rate of 0.21%. When analyzed by place, TBEV was discovered in three sites where the highest tick density was found. The difference of prevalence between high and low density areas tested to be statistically significant (P = 0.028). Phylogenetic analysis showed that four sequences clustered with the Neudoerfl prototype, while the other clustered with the Isosaari 17 strain and with a number of Slovenian isolates. In addition, a sequence detected in archival samples from one human case segregated with another variant, namely the Swedish Torö strain. J. Med. Virol. 81:309–316, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spatial variability in correlation decay distance and influence on angular‐distance weighting interpolation of daily precipitation over Europe
Authors: Hofstra Nynke , New Mark 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAngular‐distance weighting (ADW) is a common approach for interpolation of an irregular network of meteorological observations to a regular grid. A widely used version of ADW employs the correlation decay distance (CDD) to (1) select stations that should contribute to each grid‐point estimate and (2) define the distance component of the station weights. We show, for Europe, that the CDD of daily precipitation varies spatially, as well as by season and synoptic state, and is also anisotropic. However, ADW interpolation using CDDs that varies spatially by season or synoptic state yield only small improvements in interpolation skill, relative to the use of a fixed CDD across the entire domain. If CDDs are optimized through cross validation, a larger improvement in interpolation skill is achieved. Improvements are larger for the determination of the state of precipitation (wet/dry) than for the magnitude. These or other attempts to improve interpolation skill appear to be fundamentally limited by the available station network. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Effect of hot air treatment on quality and ripening of Chinese bayberry fruit
Authors: Luo Zisheng , Xu Tingqiao , Xie Jing , Zhang Li , Xi Yufang 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Postharvest decay and softening are the major factors limiting the extension of storage life of Chinese bayberry fruit. To evaluate the effects of hot air treatment (HAT) on Chinese bayberry fruit, fruits were stored at 2 °C after exposure to 20 °C (control), 40 °C (HAT40), 45 °C (HAT45) or 50 °C (HAT50) hot air for 3 h. The effects of HAT on firmness, disease incidence, soluble solid content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), respiration, ethylene production, pectic substances and activities of pectinmethylesterase (PME) and polygalacturonase (PG) were examined.RESULTS: HAT inhibited decrease in firmness, SSC and TA and retarded increase in disease incidence, while it promoted decrease in respiration rate and ethylene production. HAT suppressed the activities of PME and PG, which resulted in delaying the depolymerisation of chelator‐soluble and alkali‐soluble pectic substances and reducing the increase in water‐soluble pectic substances compared with control fruits.CONCLUSION: The present findings show that HAT can maintain postharvest quality and delay ripening of Chinese bayberry fruit and suggest that HAT could be considered for commercial use to extend the postharvest life of Chinese bayberry fruit. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Cranberry extract and quercetin modulate the expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) and IκBα in human colon cancer cells
Authors: Narayansingh Richard , Hurta Robert AR 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Cranberry (Vaccinium marcocarpon) fruit and quercetin, a major flavonoid found in cranberries, are likely contributors to chemoprevention, and their anti‐inflammatory activities may play a potential role in colon cancer prevention. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of cranberry extract and quercetin on basal expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) and IκBα as well as the effect on phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA)‐induced COX‐2 expression in colon cancer cells.RESULTS: HT‐29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells were treated with various concentrations of cranberry extract or quercetin and/or PMA, and the protein expression of COX‐2 and IκBα was determined. The results indicated that cranberry extract and quercetin decreased COX‐2 expression and suppressed degradation of IκBα in unstimulated cells. In PMA‐stimulated cells, cranberry extract was also able to decrease COX‐2 expression and suppress degradation of IκBα.CONCLUSION: The results suggest that a possible mechanism involved in the anti‐cancer activity of cranberry and quercetin is partly mediated through its anti‐inflammatory action. These findings indicate that cranberry and quercetin may reduce the risk of colon cancer possibly by suppressing inflammatory responses. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of the milling process on quality characteristics of rye flour
Authors: Gómez Manuel , Pardo Jose , Oliete Bonastre , Caballero Pedro A 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Most of rye flour is obtained by a gradual reduction system using roller flour mills, which generate different flour streams. The study of the different flour streams composition is necessary since it determines the flour quality and the flour uses. Four break streams and nine reduction streams were analysed for moisture, ash, starch, protein, damaged starch, falling number, amylose/amylopectin ratio, β‐glucans and colour. Mixing and pasting properties were also determined with a doughLAB and a Rapid Visco Analyser respectively.RESULTS: As the milling process advanced, moisture and starch content decreased but protein, ash, β‐glucans and damaged starch increased. The differences in composition are probably related to the effect of the roller mills and the increase in the contamination with bran. The absorption, development time, and pasting viscosity increased as the milling proceeded, in detriment of the peak time. The β‐glucan content was positively correlated to absorption, mixing tolerance index and pasting viscosity, and negatively correlated to peak time.CONCLUSION: Differences in composition, above all, in bran, showed different mixing and pasting properties in rye streams. The most different streams corresponded to the last streams in the break process, in the sizings and in the middlings. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Modification in physical properties of rice gel by microbial transglutaminase
Authors: Lin Chih‐Fang , Wang Yuh Tai , Wu James Swi‐Bea 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) may catalyse the cross‐linking between a peptide‐bound glutaminyl residue and an ε‐amino group of lysine residue in protein. MTGase has been used to modify many food proteins for improving the physical properties of products. However, its effect on the physical properties of rice products has not been investigated before. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of MTGase, as an additive in rice flour, on the rheological, textural and thermal properties of rice gel.RESULTS: Both the elastic and the viscous moduli of rice gel were increased as a result of the addition of MTGase to rice flour. The addition of MTGase at 0.01–0.3 U mg−1 increased textural parameters (hardness and gumminess) and rheological properties. Differential scanning calorimetry also showed that MTGase treatment decreased the enthalpy change in gelation. Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) confirmed that rice proteins were polymerised through the MTGase reaction.CONCLUSION: The present study proved that the cross‐linking of protein molecules in rice flour by the action of MTGase may improve the physical properties of rice gel. The addition of MTGase in rice flour in an adequate amount is essential for achieving appropriate physical properties of the product. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of foliar urea on the antioxidant response and fruit color of sweet pepper under limited N supply
Authors: del Amor Francisco M , Cuadra‐Crespo Paula , Varó Plácido , Gómez Maria C 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND:Foliar fertilizer methods could provide a rapid and efficient response when uptake by plant roots is limited. This work studies the effect of foliar urea sprays (15 g L−1) at different frequencies on the antioxidant metabolism and fruit quality of sweet pepper fruits under N‐limited nutrient solution (3.5 mmol L−1NO3−) and fully N‐supplied (12.5 mmol L−1NO3−) plants.RESULTS:Foliar applications of urea in root N‐limited plants increased the total N concentration in the fruits and no significant differences were found with respect to control fruits (plants fully supplied with N by the roots). Fruit color was significantly affected by the urea sprays, and at the highest frequency (twice a week) the largest overall color difference (ΔE) with respect the non‐sprayed fruits was obtained. Foliar urea increased anthocyanin concentration to control values but flavonoids were only affected at the highest application frequency. N deficiency induced oxidative stress but foliar application of urea altered this response, significantly diminishing catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activity.CONCLUSION:Sweet pepper fruits showed a significant and positive response to foliar fertilization on the studied parameters, compensating to a major extent the reduction of N by the roots. In addition to the environmental issues in reducing N contamination, fully monitored automatically sprayed foliar fertilizer could utilize N more efficiently and at lower cost than applying the full recommended rate of other N fertilizers to the nutrient solution, providing flexibility in correcting N nutrition in the plant, and especially the control of nutrient supply independent of the water supply. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Internet interventions for traumatic stress: A review and theoretically based example
Authors: Benight Charles C. , Ruzek Josef I. , Waldrep Eddie 
Published: December 2008

AbstractTrauma recovery Web sites are proliferating with limited supportive evidence for effectiveness. In this article, the authors review the current very early studies on trauma recovery Web sites highlighting the different approaches, the empirical support provided, and the critical development issues facing this exciting frontier. An example site based on social cognitive theory is also reviewed.
Mapping sensitivity to land degradation in Extremadura. SW Spain
Authors: Contador J. F. Lavado , Schnabel S. , Gutiérrez A. Gómez , Fernández M. Pulido 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAn assessment of sensitivity to land degradation has been carried out in the Extremadura region, SW Spain, by means of a modelling approach developed by the European Commission funded MEDALUS project (Mediterranean Desertification and Land Use) which identifies such areas on the basis of an index (Environmentally Sensitive Area index, ESA index) that incorporates data on environmental quality (climate, vegetation, soil) as well as anthropogenic factors (management). Two maps of environmental sensitivity (ES) to degradation with different legend resolution (four and eight classes of sensitivity) have been made and tested by comparing classes of the legends with an extensive number (2690) of true field data gathered from plots distributed all over the study region. Independent variables of validation consisted of nine degradation‐related types of data and the method tested the performance of the whole model and the statistical separability among classes of sensitivity, as well as the capability of the variables in delimiting the classes. Results showed a good performance of the whole model to both, the map of four and eighth classes of sensitivity. Separation among classes of sensitivity showed a slightly different behaviour of both maps, identifying transitional classes in the map of eight classes where classification could be improved in terms of the ranges of ESA index values assigned to the different classes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integration of modified universal soil loss equation (MUSLE) into a gis framework to assess soil erosion risk
Authors: Zhang Y. , Degroote J. , Wolter C. , Sugumaran R. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractSoil erosion is an important economic and environmental concern throughout the world. In order to assess soil erosion risk and conserve water and soil resources, soil erosion modeling at the watershed scale is urgently needed. This study integrated the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE) in a Geographic Information System (GIS) framework in the form of a tool called ArcMUSLE, an extension of ArcGIS® software, to assist soil and water conservation agencies in soil erosion risk assessment and prioritization of critical areas for soil erosion control practices. With widely available spatial data, this tool can be applied to determine curve numbers, to estimate runoff, peak flow, and soil loss for a rainfall event within a watershed. An application example for a watershed in Black Hawk County, Iowa, USA, is presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crystallization Kinetics and Melting Behaviour of the Novel Biodegradable Polyesters Poly(propylene azelate) and Poly(propylene sebacate)
Authors: Papageorgiou George Z. , Achilias Dimitris S. , Bikiaris Dimitrios N. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractNovel biodegradable poly(propylene sebacate) (PPSeb) and poly(propylene azelate) (PPAz) polyesters were synthesized and fully characterized using WAXD, standard DSC, high‐rate DSC, and modulated‐temperature DSC. Multiple‐melting behaviour, observed for samples isothermally crystallized from the melt, was attributed to sequential melting–recrystallization–remelting. Study of isothermal and nonisothermal crystallization kinetics revealed a higher crystallization rate for PPSeb compared to PPAz. The Avrami and the Lauritzen‐Hoffman models were successfully applied to DSC measurements, using also data obtained after self‐nucleation, in order to diminish the effect of primary nucleation. Finally, the effective activation energy was estimated using the differential isoconversional method of Friedman.magnified image
Invariant curves and boundedness of solutions of a class of reversible systems
Authors: Yang Xiaojing , Lo Kueiming 
Published: December 2008

AbstractIn this paper, the boundedness of all solutions for the following planar reversible system
Ju ′ = ∇H (u) + G (u) + h (t)
is discussed, where the function H (u) ∈ C2(ℝ2, ℝ+) is positive for u ≠ 0 and positively (q, p)‐quasihomogeneous of quasi‐degree pq, G ∈ C5 is bounded, h ∈ C6 is 2π ‐periodic and J is the standard symplectic matrix. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Generalization of the B *‐algebra (C0(X),∥ ∥∞)
Authors: Arhippainen Jorma , Kauppi Jukka 
Published: December 2008

AbstractWe give a generalization of the Stone–Weierstrass property for subalgebras of C (X), with X a completely regular Hausdorff space. In particular, we study in this paper some subalgebras of C0(X), with X a locally compact Hausdorff space, provided with weighted norm topology. By using the Stone–Weierstrass property, we then describe the ideal structure of these algebras. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Discrete characterisations of Lipschitz spaces on fractals
Authors: Bodin Mats 
Published: December 2008

AbstractA. Kamont has discretely characterised Besov spaces on intervals. In this paper, we give a discrete characterisation of Lipschitz spaces on fractals admitting a type of regular sequence of triangulations, and for a class of post critically finite self‐similar sets. This shows that on some fractals, certain discretely defined Besov spaces, introduced by R. Strichartz, coincide with Lipschitz spaces introduced by A. Jonsson and H. Wallin for low order of smoothness. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A New Disubstituted Polyacetylene for the Detection of α‐Amino Acids
Authors: Zeng Qi , Jim Cathy K. W. , Lam Jacky W. Y. , Dong Yongqiang , Li Zhen , Qin Jingui , Tang Ben Zhong 
Published: December 2008

AbstractNew imidazole‐functionalized disubstituted polyacetylene was synthesized by utilizing the postfunctional strategy. In addition, its ability to sense copper ions and α‐amino acids by fluorescence quenching has been studied. The quenching of the fluorescence of the imidazole‐functionalized disubstituted polyacetylene was observed at a very low level of Cu2+ (7.0 × 10−7 mol · L−1). The fluorescent intensity decreased rapidly upon the increase of the concentration of the added solution of Cu2+. It was expected that the addition of α‐amino acids to the solution of the polyacetylene/Cu2+ complex could turn on the fluorescence of the polyacetylene, if α‐amino acids could remove the copper ions from the complex. Glycine, was used for testing: upon the addition of glycine the quenched fluorescence of P1 turned on immediately. The detection limit was as low as 6.0 × 10−5 mol · L−1.magnified image
The Ludwig‐Soret Effect on the Thermally Induced Phase Separation Process in Polymer Solutions: A Computational Study
Authors: Kukadiya Sureshkumar B. , Chan Philip K. , Mehrvar Mehrab 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe Ludwig‐Soret effect was investigated in the thermally induced phase separation process via SD in polymer solutions under an externally imposed spatial linear temperature gradient using mathematical modeling and computer simulation. The mathematical model incorporated non‐linear Cahn‐Hilliard theory for SD, Flory‐Huggins theory for thermodynamics, and the Ludwig‐Soret effect for thermal diffusion. 2D simulation results revealed that the Ludwig‐Soret effect had negligible impact on the phase separation mechanism in binary polymer solutions under a non‐uniform temperature field, as reflected by the time evolution of the dimensionless structure factor and the transition time from the early to the intermediate stages of SD.magnified image
Bandpass performance of the short‐circuited quarter‐wavelength parallel‐coupled line excited by the slot‐line resonator
Authors: Hon‐Kuan  , Weng Min‐Hang , Yang Ru‐Yuan , Chen Wen‐Lang 
Published: December 2008

AbstractIn this article, a wideband bandpass performance of the short‐circuited quarter‐wavelength parallel‐coupled line excited by the slot‐line resonator (SLR) is proposed. The filter performance is characterized based on the even and odd‐mode analysis of the microstrip parallel‐coupled line. And the coupling consideration between the short‐circuited quarter‐wavelength parallel‐coupled line and the SLR is also discussed for obtaining the proper wide passband response. With the multiple transmission zeros, the designed filter exhibits an improved passband selectivity and a good out‐of‐band performance. Predicted results are confirmed by the experiment. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 301–303, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24026