bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thermal activation of the co‐chaperonins GroES and gp31 probed by mass spectrometry
Authors: Geels Rimco B. J. , Calmat Stephane , Heck Albert J. R. , van der Vies Saskia M. , Heeren Ron M. A. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractMany biological active proteins are assembled in protein complexes. Understanding the (dis)assembly of such complexes is therefore of major interest. Here we use mass spectrometry to monitor the disassembly induced by thermal activation of the heptameric co‐chaperonins GroES and gp31. We use native electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) on a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT‐ICR) mass spectrometer to monitor the stoichiometry of the chaperonins. A thermally controlled electrospray setup was employed to analyze conformational and stoichiometric changes of the chaperonins at varying temperature. The native ESI‐MS data agreed well with data obtained from fluorescence spectroscopy as the measured thermal dissociation temperatures of the complexes were in good agreement. Furthermore, we observed that thermal denaturing of GroES and gp31 proceeds via intermediate steps of all oligomeric forms, with no evidence of a transiently stable unfolded heptamer. We also evaluated the thermal dissociation of the chaperonins in the gas phase using infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD) for thermal activation. Using gas‐phase activation the smaller (2–4) oligomers were not detected, only down to the pentamer, whereafter the complex seemed to dissociate completely. These results demonstrate clearly that conformational changes of GroES and gp31 due to heating in solution and in the gas phase are significantly different. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What technical barriers exist for real‐time fluoroscopic and video image overlay in robotic surgery?
Authors: Afthinos J. N. , Latif M. J. , Bhora F. Y. , Connery C. P. , McGinty J. J. , Burra A. , Attiyeh M. , Todd G. J. , Belsley S. J. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractBackgroundA hypothetical advantage of the da Vinci® console is its ability to integrate multiple visual data sources. Current platforms for augmented reality surgery fuse pre‐operative radiographic studies but are limited with their ability to update with intra‐operative imaging. The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility of real‐time radiographic image overlay with current technology.MethodsS‐video composite output from a fluoroscopic C‐arm was superimposed onto the video output of the da Vinci device. Image superimposition disparity measurements were evaluated in a bench model. The feasibility of robotic dissection assisted by real‐time cholangiogram and intravenous pyelogram was evaluated.ResultsImage alignment resulted in a radiographic blind spot and image disparity with severely limited application in an in vivo model.ConclusionsExternal collisions of the robotic device and visual disparity in multiple planes negate the current implementation of fluoroscopic overlay and will require more elegant methods of computer‐assisted registration. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Secure authentication policy with evidential signature scheme for WLAN
Authors: Ouyang Yen‐Chieh , Hsueh Ching‐Tsung , Chen Hung‐Wei 
Published: October 2008

AbstractNon‐repudiation is one of most important security services in electronic transactions. It provides protection from denial by one of the entities involved in a communication of parties participating in all or part of communication. In practice, a non‐repudiation property is an important evidence for accounting for or tracking a system or tracking to illegal connections. However, a password‐based communication system does not provide the non‐repudiation property for connection evidence. In this paper, a dynamic session key policy (DSKP) with a non‐repudiation signature scheme for secure mobile networks authentication is proposed. The proposed non‐repudiation signature scheme is a mixed method which combines a one‐way hash function and a traditional digital signature technique. Since computational cost usually is an important issue in a mobile environment, the proposed scheme can provide additional non‐repudiation properties satisfying the future needs of electronic evidences such as accounting, auditing, logging, and tracking of connections to a mobile network system at the expense of a small additional computing load for the mobile devices. Besides, it can also achieve the same security services from a security and performance analysis point of view. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Treatment of severe early onset Blount's disease by an intra-articular and a metaphyseal osteotomy using the Taylor Spatial Frame
Authors: Bar-On Elhanan , Weigl Daniel Martin , Becker Tali , Katz Kalman 
Published: October 2008

Purpose Severe Blount's disease results in a multiplanar deformity of the lower limb. The mechanical axis is disrupted, there is a rotational deformity, and also shortening of the limb. A depression of the medial tibial plateau causes joint incongruity and instability. The purpose of this study is to review the results of treatment addressing all the aspects of the deformity. Methods Four patients were treated for severe Blount's disease. The index procedure consisted of a medial tibial plateau elevating osteotomy, a lateral tibial and proximal fibular epiphysiodesis, a proximal tibial metaphyseal osteotomy, and the application of the Taylor Spatial Frame programmed for correction of varus, rotation and shortening, and preemptive lengthening to compensate for growth arrest. Results Mechanical axis was corrected from a mean 23° (13°–30°) to 0° in three patients and 6° valgus in 1. Tibias were lengthened by 1–4 cm. At follow-up, the mechanical axis was 0° in two patients and 7° varus in two. The overlengthening was diminishing as planned. Conclusions The double osteotomy and Taylor Frame correction was found to be accurate, safe, and effective for multiplanar deformity correction in severe Blount's disease.
Hidden Markov Models Incorporating Fuzzy Measures and Integrals for Protein Sequence Identification and Alignment
Authors: Bidargaddi Niranjan P. , Chetty Madhu , Kamruzzaman Joarder 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
Profile hidden Markov models (HMMs) based on classical HMMs have been widely applied for protein sequence identification. The formulation of the forward and backward variables in profile HMMs is made under statistical independence assumption of the probability theory. We propose a fuzzy profile HMM to overcome the limitations of that assumption and to achieve an improved alignment for protein sequences belonging to a given family. The proposed model fuzzifies the forward and backward variables by incorporating Sugeno fuzzy measures and Choquet integrals, thus further extends the generalized HMM. Based on the fuzzified forward and backward variables, we propose a fuzzy Baum-Welch parameter estimation algorithm for profiles. The strong correlations and the sequence preference involved in the protein structures make this fuzzy architecture based model as a suitable candidate for building profiles of a given family, since the fuzzy set can handle uncertainties better than classical methods.
How to use drugs for pain management: from pharmacokinetics to pharmacogenomics
Authors: Allegaert K. , van den Anker J.N. 
Published: October 2008

The promise of pharmacogenomics (PGx), i.e. the study of the role of inheritance in the individual variation in drug response lies in its potential to further identify the right drug and dosing regimen in every individual patient. Observations on the impact of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6, the μ‐opioid receptor μ 1 (OPRM1), UDP‐glucuronosyl (UGT) 2B7 isoenzyme, efflux transporter P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) and ATP‐binding cassette B1 (ABCB1/multiple drug resistence 1 (MDR1) polymorphisms on opioid disposition are provided to illustrate the potential impact of PGx on pain management.PGx are, however, only one group of co‐variates of interindividual variability. People differ and the interindividual phenotypic variability is the final result of maturation, genomic variation and environment. Other clinical characteristics, like ontogeny (i.e. age‐dependent maturation), co‐morbidity (e.g. hepatic or renal dysfunction) or co‐medication should be considered together with the genomic variation. Population pharmacokinetic models hereby enable researchers to simultaneously assess the independent impact of different co‐variates.
AN EVAPORATION HEAT ENGINE AND CONDENSATION HEAT PUMP
Authors: BARTON N. G. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThis paper presents a thermodynamic model for a heat engine based on evaporative cooling of unsaturated air at reduced pressure. Also analysed is a related heat pump based on condensation of water vapour in moist air at reduced pressure. These devices operate as two-stroke reciprocating engines, which are their simplest possible embodiments. The mathematical models for the two devices are based on conservation of mass for both air and water vapour, ideal gas laws, constant specific heats, and, as appropriate, either constant entropy processes or cooling/heating by evaporation/condensation. Both models take the form of coupled algebraic systems in six variables, which require numerical solution for certain stages of the cycle. The specific work output of the heat engine increases as the inlet air becomes hotter and as the expansion ratio of the engine increases. The engine provides evaporative cooling of air from inlet to outlet. The heat pump has a good coefficient of performance, which decreases as the expansion ratio increases. The heat pump also has the effect of drying the air from inlet to outlet, producing distilled water as a by-product.
A COMPUTATIONAL METHOD FOR SOLVING TWO-DIMENSIONAL LINEAR FREDHOLM INTEGRAL EQUATIONS OF THE SECOND KIND
Authors: TARI A. , SHAHMORAD S. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractIn this paper an expansion method, based on Legendre or any orthogonal polynomials, is developed to find numerical solutions of two-dimensional linear Fredholm integral equations. We estimate the error of the method, and present some numerical examples to demonstrate the accuracy of the method.
PERTURBATION THEORY FOR THE LU AND QR FACTORIZATIONS
Authors: WU CHI-YE , HUANG TING-ZHU 
Published: October 2008

AbstractIn this paper we derive perturbation theorems for the LU and QR factors. Moreover, bounds for κL(A)/κL′(A) and κU(A)/κ′U(A) are given for the LU factorization of a nonsingular matrix. By applying pivoting strategies in the LU factorization, estimates for κL(PAQ)/κL′(PAQ) and κU(PAQ)/κ′U(PAQ) are also obtained.
Executive–Legislature Divide and Party Volatility in Emergent Democracies: Lessons for Democratic Performance from Taiwan
Authors: YAP O. FIONA 
Published: October 2008

AbstractAre new democracies with divided government and volatile parties politically ill fated? The literature suggests so, but cases of emergent democracies such as Taiwan and Brazil that face both conditions defy the prediction. This paper explains why: party volatility follows from pursuing distinct executive and legislature agendas under divided government; the political ambition that underlies these conditions sustains democratic and even political performance. We evaluate the argument through government spending in Taiwan. The results corroborate our expectations: they show more parties composing the legislature as government spending favors an executive agenda and neglects a legislative welfare-spending agenda. The findings make three contributions to the literature: first, they reveal a political divide between executive and legislature rather than ideological parties to undercut concerns regarding performance. Second, they demonstrate that the strategic use of government spending to institutionalize party development along an executive agenda fuels party fragmentation. Third, they show that legislators split, switch, or create alternative routes to office in reaction to strategic spending to underscore that ambition underlies party volatility and divided government.
Coalition Governments, Party Switching, and the Rise and Decline of Parties: Changing Japanese Party Politics since 1993
Authors: KATO JUNKO , KANNON YUTO 
Published: October 2008

AbstractSince 1993, coalition governments have replaced the 38-year-long, one-party dominance of the Liberal Democratic Party (the LDP) in Japan. Except for one year, from 1993 to 1994, the LDP has remained a key party in successive governing coalitions, but the dynamics of party competition has been completely transformed since the period of the LDP's dominance. Although the LDP has survived to form a variety of coalitions ranging from a minority to an over-sized majority, since 1998 the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has continued to counter the LDP governments. The transformation of party systems in Japan accompanies the party switching of legislators and the mergers, breakups, extinctions, and formations of parties. In this regard, the Japanese case provides an interesting example to show how parties attempt to change the dynamics of policy competition by switching and reorganizing. Parties also attempt to shift their policy positions to attract public support and to gain a competitive edge in government formation. Using expert survey data about the policy positions of parties, this study explicates the dynamics involved in the reorganization of parties and the formation of governments.
Prevalence of blood and injection phobia among pregnant women
Authors: LILLIECREUTZ CAROLINE , JOSEFSSON ANN 
Published: October 2008

AbstractObjective. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of blood and injection phobia in an unselected pregnant population, in order to estimate the need for curative intervention programmes. Design. A cross‐sectional study. Setting. Antenatal care clinics in the southeast region of Sweden. Sample. In total, 1,606 consecutively registered pregnant women attending their first visit with a midwife. Methods. The women were asked to complete the Injection Phobia‐Anxiety scale, measuring phobic symptoms. Women who scored >20 on the questionnaire were telephone‐interviewed and then diagnosed or dismissed according to the DSM‐IV criteria for blood and injection phobia. Main outcome measures. Prevalence of blood and injection phobia according to the DSM‐IV. Results. Of 1,529 women who chose to participate (92.5%), 110 women or 7.2% fulfilled the DSM‐IV criteria for blood and injection phobia. The mean age of the women was 29.1 years. Conclusions. Blood and injection phobia is hitherto unreported in the literature, but seems to be relatively common and needs to be recognized during pregnancy as it causes a great deal of discomfort and fear among pregnant women. The Injection Phobia‐Anxiety scale is suitable as a screening tool in an antenatal care clinic setting.
Relation between neonatal jaundice and oncostatin M, hepatocyte growth factor and soluble gp130 levels in umbilical cord
Authors: NAKATSUKASA HIDEKI , MASUYAMA HISASHI , AKAHORI YOICHIRO , INOUE SEIJI , MASUMOTO AKIO , HIRAMATSU YUJI 
Published: October 2008

AbstractObjectives. Oncostatin M (OSM), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and soluble glycoprotein 130 (sgp130) have been demonstrated to be involved in fetal liver development. In this study, we examined the relation between neonatal jaundice and OSM, gp130 or HGF levels in umbilical cord blood. Design. A cross‐sectional study of 160 neonates born at Okayama University Hospital. Setting. Tertiary referral center serving a population of three million. Methods. The serum concentrations of OSM, HGF and sgp130 in umbilical venous cord blood were measured and compared with the clinical records of these neonates. Results. The HGF level was correlated to both gestational week (p = 0.007) and birthweight (p = 0.015), as well as to total bilirubin on Day 1 (p = 0.032). In preterm neonates, the HGF levels were lower in neonates who received phototherapy (photo group) than in those who did not receive phototherapy (non‐photo group) (p = 0.002). In contrast, in term neonates, OSM levels were lower in the photo group than in the non‐photo group (p = 0.0003). Conclusions. These findings suggest that the phototherapy requirement for neonatal jaundice may be associated with lower umbilical HGF concentration in preterm neonates and with lower umbilical OSM concentration in term neonates.
Isoprenylcysteine Methylation and Demethylation Regulate Abscisic Acid Signaling inArabidopsis
Authors: Huizinga David H. , Omosegbon Olutope , Omery Bilal , Crowell Dring N. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractIsoprenylated proteins bear an isoprenylcysteine methyl ester at the C terminus. Although isoprenylated proteins have been implicated in meristem development and negative regulation of abscisic acid (ABA) signaling, the functional role of the terminal methyl group has not been described. Here, we show that transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants overproducing isoprenylcysteine methyltransferase (ICMT) exhibit ABA insensitivity in stomatal closure and seed germination assays, establishing ICMT as a negative regulator of ABA signaling. By contrast, transgenic plants overproducing isoprenylcysteine methylesterase (ICME) exhibit ABA hypersensitivity in stomatal closure and seed germination assays. Thus, ICME is a positive regulator of ABA signaling. To test the hypothesis that ABA signaling is under feedback regulation at the level of isoprenylcysteine methylation, we examined the effect of ABA on ICMT and ICME gene expression. Interestingly, ABA induces ICME gene expression, establishing a positive feedback loop whereby ABA promotes ABA responsiveness of plant cells via induction of ICME expression, which presumably results in the demethylation and inactivation of isoprenylated negative regulators of ABA signaling. These results suggest strategies for metabolic engineering of crop species for drought tolerance by targeted alterations in isoprenylcysteine methylation.
Effects of acute and chronic angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition by spirapril on cardiovascular regulation in essential hypertensive patients. Assessment by spectral analysis and haemodynamic measurements
Authors: VEERMAN DERK P. , DOUMA CAROLINE E. , JACOBS MARIE‐CECILE , THIEN THEO , VAN MONTFRANS GERT A. 
Published: October 2008

1 The effects of a first dose and of chronic treatment with spirapril, a novel angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, on short‐term blood pressure and heart rate fluctuations were assessed by fast Fourier spectral analysis. The effects on systemic haemodynamics in supine and standing position were also studied. We treated 11 patients with 3 mg and 13 patients with 12 mg spirapril for 8 weeks.2 Overall blood pressure variability was not changed by spirapril. By spectral analysis the changes in blood pressure and heart rate variability in various frequency bands can be assessed, which may be related to changes in activity of the autonomic nervous system. The relative power in the mid‐frequency band (0.08‐0.12 Hz) of supine systolic pressure was 23±10% during placebo and decreased during treatment with 12 mg to 11±4% (P <0.01 vs placebo, first dose) and to 13±6% (P <0.01, chronic treatment). Standing systolic mid‐frequency power was 38±12% during placebo and decreased to 27±9% (P <0.01 vs placebo) after the first dose of 12 mg, but it did not decrease after chronic treatment (29±13%). Treatment with 3 mg induced no changes in mid‐frequency blood pressure variability. A decrease in power of the mid‐frequency band may point to a decrease in sympathetic vascular drive. The power in the high‐frequency band (0.15‐0.40 Hz) of heart rate did not change after treatment, suggesting that there is no change in the vagal cardiac drive.3 Supine blood pressure decreased by a decrease in vascular resistance by 16±23% (3 mg) and 14±19% (12 mg) after 8 weeks treatment. Heart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output did not change. No orthostatic hypotension occurred after the first dose. In the 12 mg group the orthostatic induced rise in heart rate (compared with supine) increased from +9±5 beats min‐1 (placebo) to +14±4 beats min‐1 (P <0.05) after the first dose. No changes in the orthostatic heart rate increase occurred in the 3 mg group. The orthostatic changes in stroke volume, cardiac output and vascular resistance were not influenced by spirapril.4 In conclusion, the decrease in mid‐frequency blood pressure variability may suggest an inhibitory effect of acute and chronic ACE inhibition upon sympathetic vasomotor control. Vagal activity was not influenced as high–frequency heart rate variability did not change. Acute and chronic ACE inhibition did not blunt important cardiovascular reflexes, as the haemodynamic response to orthostasis remained intact.
Effect of ranitidine hydrochloride (150 mg twice daily) on the pharmacokinetics of increasing doses of ethanol (0. 15, 0.3, 0.6 g kg‐1)
Authors: BYE A. , LACEY L. F. , GUPTA S. , POWELL J. R. 
Published: October 2008

1 The interaction of ranitidine hydrochloride (150 mg twice daily for 15 doses) with single doses (0.15, 0.3 and 0.6 g kg‐1) of ethanol was investigated in a placebo controlled study in 24 male subjects. Ethanol was given 1 h after a standard breakfast to maximise a drug ethanol effect if there is one. A balanced incomplete block design was used in that each subject received two of the three ethanol doses in the presence or absence of ranitidine. Blood samples (n= 18) were taken for 8h after dosing and blood ethanol concentrations (BAC) were determined by head space analysis using a validated gas liquid chromatographic method.2 At the lowest dose of ethanol studied the pharmacokinetic profile was largely first order but at the higher doses the usual zero order kinetics were seen. Using the technique of simultaneous fitting across all doses the Km, and Vmax, constants were similar and close to literature value of 100 mg 1‐1 and 200–300 mg h 1‐1 respectively.3 Ranitidine, in common with other H2‐receptor antagonists tested under the same experimental conditions, caused a small rise in BAC. However this was only evident at the smallest dose of ethanol studied and in common with many other publications, no effects were seen at the higher doses. The mean rise in blood ethanol following the 0.15 g kg‐1 dose was 2.6 mg dl‐1 (13.3 mg dl‐1 for placebo and 15.9 mg dl‐1 for ranitidine) and this change is of no clinical relevance.
Hospital antibiotic prescribing successfully modified by ‘immediate concurrent feedback’
Authors: SETO WING‐HONG , CHING TAI‐YIN , KOU MAYBELLE , CHIANG SAU‐CHU , LAUDER IAN J. , KUMANA CYRUS R. 
Published: October 2008

To determine the effectiveness of ongoing immediate concurrent feedback (ICF) in minimizing ‘inappropriate’ sultamicillin or co‐amoxiclav prescribing via the parenteral route (i.e. when the oral route was accessible and not contraindicated), a prospective controlled audit was carried out on hospital inpatients over a 20 month period.
After an education programme to promote oral rather than unnecessary intravenous (i.v.) use of sultamicillin, co‐amoxiclav and certain other drugs, an ongoing ICF strategy was instituted.
ICF entailed issue of memos on the following day to prescribers of i.v. sultamicillin or co‐amoxiclav for inpatients in whom this route was deemed ‘inappropriate’, by a specially trained nurse using strict objective criteria. The memos recommended oral prescribing (particularly of co‐amoxiclav, currently the less expensive alternative).
After starting ICF, there were consistent, clinically and statistically significant reductions in the monthly proportions of (i) admissions prescribed i.v. sultamicillin or co‐amoxiclav (38%P < 0.001), (ii) those in whom the route was ‘inappropriate’ (75%, P < 0.001), and (iii) corresponding ratios of i.v./oral usage and expenditure, oral sultamicillin/co‐amoxiclav usage and expenditure, as well as total and per admission expenditure on i.v. forms (> 43%, P < 0.01).
For i.v. cefuroxime (for which there was no ICF) and its oral counterpart cefuroxime‐axetil, there were no comparable changes in usage or expenditure.
This simple, ongoing ICF strategy was effective and well accepted; estimated net monthly savings being HK$26–30,000.