bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Soy Consumption, Markers of Inflammation, and Endothelial Function
Authors: Azadbakht Leila , Kimiagar Masoud , Mehrabi Yadollah , Esmaillzadeh Ahmad , Hu Frank B. , Willett Walter C. 
Published: March 2007

OBJECTIVE—To determine the effects of soy consumption on markers of inflammation and endothelial function in postmenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—This randomized cross-over clinical trial included 42 postmenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome. Participants were randomly assigned to consume a control diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension [DASH]), soy protein diet, or soy nut diet, each for 8 weeks. Red meat in the DASH diet (one serving/day) was replaced by soy protein in the soy protein diet and by soy nut in the soy nut diet.RESULTS—For nitric oxide levels, the difference from the control diet was 9.8% (P &lt; 0.01) on the soy nut and −1.7% (P = 0.10) on the soy protein diets. The difference from the control diet for serum E-selectin was −11.4% (P &lt; 0.01) on the soy nut consumption and −4.7% (P = 0.19) on the soy protein diet. Soy nut consumption reduced interleukin-18 compared with the control diet (difference from the control diet: −9.2%, P &lt; 0.01), but soy protein did not (difference from the control diet: −4.6%, P = 0.14). For C-reactive protein, the difference from the control diet was −8.9% (P &lt; 0.01) on the soy nut diet and −1.6% (P &lt; 0.01) on the soy protein diet.CONCLUSIONS—Short-term soy nut consumption reduced some markers of inflammation and increased plasma nitric oxide levels in postmenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome.
Ergonomics and regulatory politics: The Washington State case
Authors: Silverstein Michael 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBackgroundEvery year in the State of Washington more than 50,000 workers experience a work related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD), making up more than 30% of all worker compensation cases. In 2000, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) adopted a workplace ergonomics rule requiring employers to reduce worker exposure to hazards that cause or contribute to WMSDs. In 2003, the ergonomics rule was repealed by a margin of 53.5–46.5 in a statewide voter initiative.MethodsThe official rulemaking record of approximately 100,000 pages, along with supplementary published and unpublished material, was reviewed. The relationship between scientific deliberation and the public policy process in adopting and repealing the ergonomics rule was assessed and described. The deliberative features of the regulatory, judicial, legislative, and ballot processes were compared.Results and ConclusionsThe ergonomics rule was successful in the regulatory and legal arenas where the process was most transparent and open to public involvement, differing views could be presented fully, and decision makers were expected to explain their decisions in light of the record. The rule fared most poorly in the legislature and at the ballot box when these features were lost and where considered deliberation was replaced by unconstrained political conflict. Additional checks and balances are needed. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:391–401, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nested case‐control study of occupational chemical exposures and prostate cancer in aerospace and radiation workers
Authors: Krishnadasan Anusha , Kennedy Nola , Zhao Yingxu , Morgenstern Hal , Ritz Beate 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBackgroundTo date, little is known about the potential contributions of occupational exposure to chemicals to the etiology of prostate cancer. Previous studies examining associations suffered from limitations including the reliance on mortality data and inadequate exposure assessment.MethodsWe conducted a nested case‐control study of 362 cases and 1,805 matched controls to examine the association between occupational chemical exposures and prostate cancer incidence. Workers were employed between 1950 and 1992 at a nuclear energy and rocket engine‐testing facility in Southern California. We obtained cancer‐incidence data from the California Cancer Registry and seven other state cancer registries. Data from company records were used to construct a job exposure matrix (JEM) for occupational exposures to hydrazine, trichloroethylene (TCE), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene and mineral oil. Associations between chemical exposures and prostate cancer incidence were assessed in conditional logistic regression models.ResultsWith adjustment for occupational confounders, including socioeconomic status, occupational physical activity, and exposure to the other chemicals evaluated, the odds ratio for low/moderate TCE exposure was 1.3; 95%CI = 0.8 to 2.1, and for high TCE exposure was 2.1; 95%CI = 1.2 to 3.9. Furthermore, we noted a positive trend between increasing levels of TCE exposure and prostate cancer (P‐value for trend = 0.02).ConclusionOur results suggest that high levels of TCE exposure are associated with prostate cancer among workers in our study population. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:383–390, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structure‐function analysis of protein complexes involved in the molecular architecture of juxtaparanodal regions of myelinated fibers
Authors: Tzimourakas Alexandros , Giasemi Sevasti , Mouratidou Maria , Karagogeos Domna 
Published: April 2007

AbstractDemyelinating disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS), are common causes of neurological disability. One critical step towards the management and therapy of demyelinating diseases is to understand the basic functions of myelinating glia and their relationship with axons. Axons and myelinating glia, oligodendrocytes in the central (CNS) and Schwann cells in the peripheral (PNS) nervous systems, reciprocally influence each other's development and trophism. These interactions are critical for the formation of distinct axonal domains in myelinated fibers that ensure the rapid propagation of action potentials. Macromolecular complexes mediating axo–glial interactions in these domains have been identified, consisting of members of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) of adhesion molecules and the neurexin/NCP superfamily as well as other proteins. We have investigated the molecular details of axo–glial interactions in the juxtaparanodal region of myelinated fibers by utilizing domain‐specific GFP constructs and immunoprecipitation assays on transfected cells. We have shown that the immunoglobulin domains of the IgSF member TAG‐1/Cnt‐2 are necessary and sufficient for the direct, cis interaction of this protein with Caspr2 and potassium channels.
Relaxometric and Modelling Studies of the Binding of a Lipophilic Gd‐AAZTA Complex to Fatted and Defatted Human Serum Albumin
Authors: Gianolio Eliana , Giovenzana Giovanni B. , Longo Dario , Longo Irene , Menegotto Ivan , Aime Silvio 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA new lipophilic gadolinium chelate consisting of a long aliphatic chain bound to the AAZTA coordination cage (Gd‐AAZTAC17) has been synthesised. It possesses two coordinated water molecules (q=2) in fast exchange with the solvent (${\tau {{298\hfill \atop {\rm M}\hfill}}}$=67 ns), which yields a relaxivity of 10.2 mM−1 s−1. At concentrations greater than 0.1 mM, it forms micelles (average diameter 5.5 nm) characterised by a relaxivity of approximately 30 mM−1 s−1 at 20 MHz and 298 K. The latter value appears to be “quenched” by magnetic interactions among the GdIII ions on the surface of the micelle that cause a decrease in the electronic relaxation time. A relaxivity of 41 mM−1 s−1 was recorded for this micellar system when 98 % of the GdIII ions were replaced by diamagnetic YIII. Gd‐AAZTAC17 exhibits a better affinity for fatted human serum albumin (HSA) than for defatted HSA, whereas the relaxivities of the supramolecular adducts are reversed. The relaxivity shown by Gd‐AAZTAC17/defatted HSA (${r{{{\rm b}\hfill \atop 1\hfill}}}$(20 MHz, 298 K)=84 mM−1 s−1) is by far the highest relaxivity reported so far for non‐covalent paramagnetic adducts with slow‐moving substrates. As shown by molecular docking calculations, the gadolinium complex enters a hydrophobic pocket present in fatted HSA more extensively than the corresponding adduct with defatted HSA. Interestingly, no marked difference was observed in either the relaxation enhancement or the binding affinity between fatted and defatted HSA when the binding titrations were carried out at a Gd‐AAZTAC17 concentration higher than its critical micellar concentration (cmc). This behaviour has been attributed to the formation of an association between the negatively charged micelle of the lipophilic metal complexes and the positive residues on the surface of the protein.
A Smart Surface in a Microfluidic Chip for Controlled Protein Separation
Authors: Mu Li , Liu Ying , Cai Shaoyu , Kong Jilie 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe smart surface created in a microfluidic chip has shown the capability of adsorbing and releasing proteins under electrical control. The inner surface of the chip channel was first coated by a thin layer of Au through sputtering and was subsequently modified with loosely packed self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) of thiols with terminal carboxylic or amino groups. Upon application of an external electric potential to the gold substrate, reversible conformational transformation between “bent” and “straight” states for the anchored mercapto chains could be modulated, through the electrostatic effect between the ionized terminal groups and the charged gold substrate. Thus, a hydrophobic or hydrophilic channel surface was established and could be reversibly switched electrochemically. Accordingly, the microchips prepared in this way can reversibly and selectively adsorb and release differently charged proteins under electrical control. Two model proteins, avidin and streptavidin, were demonstrated to be readily adsorbed by the smart chips under negative and positive potential, respectively. Also, more than 90 % of the adsorbed proteins could be released upon an electrical command. Furthermore, these chips were applied to the controlled separation of avidin and streptavidin mixtures with 1:1 and 1:1000 molar ratios. Under specific applied potentials, the chips adsorbed a certain protein from the mixture whereas the other protein was allowed to flow out, after which the adsorbed protein could be released by switching the applied potential. Thus, two eluted protein fractions were obtained and the separation of the two proteins was achieved. For the former mixture, each eluted fraction contained up to ≈80–90 % avidin or streptavidin. For the latter mixture, the resulting separation efficiency indicated that the molar ratio of avidin and streptavidin could be increased from 1:1000 to about 32:1 after five run separations.
Organogels of 8‐Quinolinol/Metal(II)–Chelate Derivatives That Show Electron‐ and Light‐Emitting Properties
Authors: Shirakawa Michihiro , Fujita Norifumi , Tani Takahiro , Kaneko Kenji , Ojima Masayoshi , Fujii Akihiko , Ozaki Masanori , Shinkai Seiji 
Published: April 2007

Abstract8‐Quinolinol/copper(II)‐, palladium(II)‐, and platinum(II)‐chelate‐based organogelators (1 M) and their nongelling reference compounds (2 M) were synthesized. Complexes 1 M could gelate various organic solvents at very low concentrations. Electron microscope measurements gave visual images of well‐developed fibrous structures characteristic of low‐molecular‐weight organogels. UV/Vis and FTIR spectroscopy revealed that the good gelation ability of 1 M arises from the π–π interactions of the chelate moieties and the hydrogen‐bond interactions among the amide groups. Very interestingly, field emission performances of the nanofibers prepared from the 1 M gels are evidently different depending on the electronic states of the three kinds of central metals. In addition, the 1 Pt gel shows unique thermo‐ and solvatochromism of visible and phosphorescent color in response to a sol–gel phase transition. Furthermore, the 1 Pt gel possesses an attractive ability to inhibit dioxygen quenching of excited triplet states, which increases the phosphorescence quantum yield of this gel. This effect is attributed to the isolation effect of the phosphorescent chelate moiety from the dioxygen‐containing solution phase.
Microwave Effect in the Fast Synthesis of Microporous Materials: Which Stage Between Nucleation and Crystal Growth is Accelerated by Microwave Irradiation?
Authors: Jhung Sung Hwa , Jin Taihuan , Hwang Young Kyu , Chang Jong‐San 
Published: April 2007

AbstractMicroporous materials, such as silicalite‐1 and VSB‐5 molecular sieves, have been synthesized by both microwave irradiation (MW) and conventional electric heating (CE). The accelerated syntheses by microwave irradiation can be quantitatively investigated by various heating modes conducted in two steps such as MW–MW, MW–CE, CE–MW, and CE–CE (in the order of nucleation‐crystal growth). In the case of synthesis by MW–CE or CE–MW, the heating modes were changed for the second step just after the appearance of X‐ray diffraction peaks in the first step. We have quantitatively demonstrated that the microwave irradiation accelerates not only the nucleation but also crystal growth. However, the contribution to decrease the synthesis time by microwave irradiation is larger in the nucleation stage than in the step of crystal growth. The crystal size increases in the order of MW–MW<MW–CE≈CE–MW<CE–CE synthesis. The fast crystal growth and small crystal size observed in the synthesis from microwave‐nucleated precursor can be explained in terms of the fact that the microwave‐nucleated samples have higher population of nuclei with smaller size than the samples nucleated by conventional heating.
SCTP performance evaluation over heterogeneous networks
Authors: Dainotti Alberto , Loreto Salvatore , Pescapé Antonio , Ventre Giorgio 
Published: April 2007

AbstractSince its definition in 2000, the Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) has attracted increasing interest. Several research works, often validated through analytical and simulative analysis, have attempted to evaluate the benefits of substituting TCP with SCTP, both for signaling and data transfer. In this work, we present a traffic generation and performance analysis tool to test SCTP on real networks. We study the performance of SCTP on real heterogeneous (wired/wireless) scenarios, providing results in terms of throughput and jitter, and comparing its performance against TCP and UDP over the same conditions. Our experimental analysis shows that the current performance of SCTP (operating on a Linux platform) does not justify the use of SCTP as a simple substitute for TCP. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Automated and accurate cache behavior analysis for codes with irregular access patterns
Authors: Andrade Diego , Arenaz Manuel , Fraguela Basilio B. , Touriño Juan , Doallo Ramón 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe memory hierarchy plays an essential role in the performance of current computers, so good analysis tools that help in predicting and understanding its behavior are required. Analytical modeling is the ideal base for such tools if its traditional limitations in accuracy and scope of application can be overcome. While there has been extensive research on the modeling of codes with regular access patterns, less attention has been paid to codes with irregular patterns due to the increased difficulty in analyzing them. Nevertheless, many important applications exhibit this kind of pattern, and their lack of locality make them more cache‐demanding, which makes their study more relevant. The focus of this paper is the automation of the Probabilistic Miss Equations (PME) model, an analytical model of the cache behavior that provides fast and accurate predictions for codes with irregular access patterns. The information requirements of the PME model are defined and its integration in the XARK compiler, a research compiler oriented to automatic kernel recognition in scientific codes, is described. We show how to exploit the powerful information‐gathering capabilities provided by this compiler to allow the automated modeling of loop‐oriented scientific codes. Experimental results that validate the correctness of the automated PME model are also presented. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient time truncation in two‐dimensional bem analysis of transient wave propagation problems
Authors: Mansur W. J. , Delima‐Silva W. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAn efficient time truncation algorithm for transient two‐dimensional wave propagation analysis by the boundary element method is proposed. First the complete (without any truncation) formulation is reviewed and subsequently time truncation concepts are discussed. Three applications are presented, where the efficiency of complete and truncated algorithms is compared. The most important conclusions inferred from the numerical analyses are: (i) time truncation errors can be controlled and made as small as required and (ii) time truncation algorithms lead to considerable savings in both CPU time and storage area.
Numerical instabilities of a local transmitting boundary
Authors: Liao Z. P. , Liu J. B. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA local transmitting boundary is presented in a compact form, which can be directly incorporated into finite elements. The accuracy of the boundary is studied thoroughly for a one‐dimensional model in order to clarify numerical instabilities introduced by the boundary. Discretization of the model and reflection from the boundary are rigorously considered in the study, and the mechanism of the instability is then illuminated in the frequency domain by the amplification of reflection from the boundary and the multi‐reflection of wave motion in a finite computational region. Typical characteristics of the instability in the time domain are illustrated by numerical results of the simple model and explained completely by the mechanism. On the basis of this understanding of the mechanism, a modified transmitting boundary is devised and its stability criterion is given for the one‐dimensional model.
Frequency dependent ritz vectors
Authors: Xia Hong , Humar J. L. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn order to reduce the size of problems involving analysis of the dynamic response of structural systems, a transformatio based on appropriately selected Ritz shapes is commonly employed. The lower mode shapes may at times serve a effective Ritz shapes. However, the computation of mode shapes is a time consuming task; in addition, the mode shapes may not form the best basis for representing the spatial distribution of loads. The recently developed load dependent vectors, which are derived from a static solution for the applied loads, address some of the problems inherent in the use of mode shapes. However, both the natural mode shapes and the load dependent vectors fail to account for the frequency content of the loading, a parameter that may influence strongly the response, particularly for loading with a high frequency content. A procedure is presented here for the generation of frequency dependent vectors. A combination of load dependent and frequency dependent vectors will often form a very efficient basis for the representation of the response, as illustrated by several examples presented here.
Pounding of buildings modelled by an impact oscillator
Authors: Davis R. O. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPounding of adjacent buildings is modelled by an impact oscillator subjected to harmonic excitation. Non‐linear impact stiffness is represented by a Hertz‐type relationship. Spectra of impact velocity are presented for a range of model parameters. These spectra are characterized by a strong peak near a period equal to one half the natural period of a similar non‐impacting oscillator. Bands of response are found in which periodic multiple impacts and non‐periodic or chaotic impacts occur.
Earthquake data review and seismic hazard analysis for the Hong Kong region
Authors: Pun W. K. , Ambraseys N. N. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis paper presents the results of a review of earthquake data and a study of seismic hazard for Hong Kong. A region of about 660 km × 660 km around Hong Kong was selected for the study. In this study, the earthquake information available for the region was reviewed, and where possible, earthquake magnitudes were calculated. Since there is no strong motion record for any earthquake within the region, Joyner and Boore's attenuation law1 has been used for the analysis. The results show that the seismic hazard in Hong Kong is relatively small, but because of the uncertainty inherent in the assumed attenuation relationship, accurate prediction of peak ground acceleration is not possible.
The uncertainty and ambiguity of isoseismal maps
Authors: de Rubeis V. , Gasparini C. , Maramai A. , Murru M. , Tertulliani A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe problem of defining objective isoseismal maps is as yet unresolved. The aim of the work, here presented, is to show how the studies of different authors and eras can produce contrasting, even contradictory, interpretations of the macroseismic data set for the same earthquake.At this point in time, the principal macroseismic end (i.e. that which furnishes seismology, seismotectonics and studies of seismic risks with descriptions of the effects of earthquakes, as far as possible exempt from interpretation) is in danger of failing.Throughout this work, we have sought to bring to light how certain anomalies of macroseismic maps principally reside in the diversity of data interpretation, and how it is possible to put in evidence these by applying appropriate statistical analysis to the macroseismic fields.The Sicilian earthquake of 11 January 1683 (I0 = XI) was taken as an example, as a sufficient quantity of information was available; a filter procedure was then applied to the macroseismic data. Finally we also show that such procedures are very useful in the treatment of border earthquakes, in an attempt to homogenize macroseismic fields from different countries.
Design of torsionally unbalanced structural systems based on code provisions II: Strength distribution
Authors: Zhu T. J. , Tso W. K. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis paper presents the results of an analytical study of the strength distribution of lateral load resisting elements in torsionally unbalanced systems designed based on codified torsional provisions. It is shown that the element strength can be expressed conveniently as the element strength of a similar but torsionally balanced system multiplied by a strength factor. This strength factor depends on three system parameters, namely, the location of the element relative to the centre of rigidity, and the torsional stiffness and eccentricity of the structure. In addition, it depends on the design coefficients of the code specified design eccentricity expressions. The influence of each of these factors on the element strength distribution is discussed. A new set of values for the design coefficients is proposed. By means of examples, it is shown that the proposed torsional provision is an improvement over those suggested in the National Building Code of Canada and the New Zealand code.
The synthesis of strong ground motion accelerograms from existing records
Authors: Westermo Bruce 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe paper discusses the synthesis of acceleration time histories primarily for use in structural response estimation. A proposed model for the acceleration time history is based on the summation of dispersive wave modes over the range of frequencies of typical interest to structural response. The values of the modal amplitudes and the travel times (or group velocities) are, for cases examined here, extracted from a target earthquake (or an ensemble of them). The synthetic accelerograms are constructed from these parameters with the inclusion of a probabilistic definition of those or other characteristics of the strong ground shaking and, in particular, the modal phase angle. The probability distributions of the peak acceleration and the integral of the square acceleration of the synthetic records are examined along with comparisons of the pseudo spectral velocity (PSV) response.