bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Denial in lung cancer patients: a longitudinal study
Authors: Vos Martina S. , Putter Hein , van Houwelingen Hans C. , de Haes Hanneke C. J. M. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground: Although denial in cancer patients is well known clinically, few studies investigating the prevalence of denial over time have been conducted.The objectives of this study are to investigate the level of denial in lung cancer patients over time and the impact of socio‐demographic and illness‐related variables on denial in these patients.Methods: The level of denial was measured in 195 consecutive newly diagnosed lung cancer patients, using the Denial of Cancer Interview. Four assessments were conducted in eight months.Socio‐demographic data were collected during the interviews. Medical data were provided by the chest physicians.Results: Most patients (86.6%) displayed a low or moderate level of denial at baseline. A small number (3%) showed a high level of denial. The mean level of denial was lowest at baseline and increased over time.Male lung cancer patients exhibited more denial than did female ones, and younger patients showed less denial than did the elderly. Shortly after diagnosis, patients with a lower level of education denied stronger than higher educated patients, and during the course of illness, both groups showed the same level of denial.Conclusion: A certain level of denial has to be considered a normal phenomenon in lung cancer patients, part of the illness process that they undergo.Whether the level of denial is related to adaptive or maladaptive coping remains to be investigated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards predicting Ca2+‐binding sites with different coordination numbers in proteins with atomic resolution
Authors: Wang Xue , Kirberger Michael , Qiu Fasheng , Chen Guantao , Yang Jenny J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractCa2+‐binding sites in proteins exhibit a wide range of polygonal geometries that directly relate to an equally‐diverse set of biological functions. Although the highly‐conserved EF‐Hand motif has been studied extensively, non‐EF‐Hand sites exhibit much more structural diversity which has inhibited efforts to determine the precise location of Ca2+‐binding sites, especially for sites with few coordinating ligands. Previously, we established an algorithm capable of predicting Ca2+‐binding sites using graph theory to identify oxygen clusters comprised of four atoms lying on a sphere of specified radius, the center of which was the predicted calcium position. Here we describe a new algorithm, MUG (MUltiple Geometries), which predicts Ca2+‐binding sites in proteins with atomic resolution. After first identifying all the possible oxygen clusters by finding maximal cliques, a calcium center (CC) for each cluster, corresponding to the potential Ca2+ position, is located to maximally regularize the structure of the (cluster, CC) pair. The structure is then inspected by geometric filters. An unqualified (cluster, CC) pair is further handled by recursively removing oxygen atoms and relocating the CC until its structure is either qualified or contains fewer than four ligand atoms. Ligand coordination is then determined for qualified structures. This algorithm, which predicts both Ca2+ positions and ligand groups, has been shown to successfully predict over 90% of the documented Ca2+‐binding sites in three datasets of highly‐diversified protein structures with 0.22 to 0.49 Å accuracy. All multiple‐binding sites (i.e. sites with a single ligand atom associated with multiple calcium ions) were predicted, as were half of the low‐coordination sites (i.e. sites with less than four protein ligand atoms) and 14/16 cofactor‐coordinating sites. Additionally, this algorithm has the flexibility to incorporate surface water molecules and protein cofactors to further improve the prediction for low‐coordination and cofactor‐coordinating Ca2+‐binding sites. Proteins 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multivariate analysis of toxicological and environmental properties of soil nematicides
Authors: Sánchez‐Moreno Sara , Alonso‐Prados Elena , Alonso‐Prados J Luis , García‐Baudín José M 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: In intensive agriculture, the use of pesticides and soil fumigants is necessary to produce economically viable crops worldwide. However, this practice may involve undesirable effects on human health and the environment. In 1995, methyl bromide was restricted by the Montreal Protocol because of possible ozone depletion. The objective of this study was to compare intrinsic environmental and toxicological properties of 11 active substances with nematicidal properties, some of them recognized as methyl bromide alternatives.RESULTS: Four groups of active substances were discriminated by a series of principal component analyses (PCAs): (a) high toxicity to non‐target fauna, humans and animals and medium persistence in the environment (cadusafos, ethoprophos and fenamiphos); (b) high toxicity to humans, animals and non‐target fauna and high persistence (carbofuran and fosthiazate); (c) low toxicity to non‐target fauna, humans and animals and low persistence (carbosulfan, benfuracarb and oxamyl); (d) low toxicity to humans, animals and non‐target fauna and medium persistence in the environment (1,3‐dichloropropene, chloropicrin and methyl bromide).CONCLUSION: Evaluating the multiple aspects of toxicological and environmental properties of active substances through PCA is proposed as a helpful tool for initially comparing the complex toxicological behaviour of active substances as plant protection products. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Brief exposure ofBlattella germanica(Blattodea) to insecticides formulated in various microcapsule sizes and applied on porous and non‐porous surfaces
Authors: Stejskal Vaclav , Aulicky Radek , Pekar Stano 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND:The authors explored how microcapsule size and brief exposure affected the bioavailability of five microencapsulated insecticide formulations, chlorpyrifos 23.1 g L−1CS (Detmol‐PRO), chlorpyrifos 20 g L−1CS (Empire 20), fenitrothion 20 g L−1CS (Detmol‐Mic), cyphenothrin 10 g L−1CS (Detmol‐CAP) and diazinon 30 g L−1CS (Diacap), toBlattella germanicaL. on porous and non‐porous surfaces. The hypothesis was tested that microencapsulated (CS) insecticides comprising larger microcapsules show higher efficacy on porous surfaces than formulations with smaller microcapsules.RESULTS:Brief exposure was accomplished by allowingB. germanicato cross a 0.3 m insecticide barrier in 30 s (1.01 cm s−1). Such short exposure did not lead to 100% mortality in any formulation or surface tested. Significant differences in bioavailability on the porous and the non‐porous surfaces were found: the largest difference was observed in Empire 20 and Detmol CAP, while bioavailability of Detmol MIC did not differ on porous and non‐porous surfaces. Comparison of their microcapsule size spectra revealed that formulations containing larger microcapsules had higher efficacy on porous surfaces than formulations with smaller microcapsules. In order to explain the difference in efficacy, the variance of microcapsule sizes was regressed on the efficacy ratio on porous versus non‐porous surfaces. Although negative correlation was evident between size of capsules and the efficacy ratio on porous and non‐porous surfaces, the difference in the slope parameter was not statistically significant.CONCLUSION:Brief contact ofB. germanicawith insecticide spray residues, which is common in barrier treatment, may lead to low efficacy, especially on porous surfaces. The latter should be preferably treated with CS insecticides containing a fraction with large capsules. In addition to the size of the microcapsules, the role of other factors, such as wall capsule thickness and chemical composition, on CS insecticide activity on various surfaces should be examined in future work. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Radiation force mediated by exciton of a carbon nanotube
Authors: Ajiki Hiroshi , Ishikawa Takahiro , Iida Takuya , Ishihara Hajime 
Published: September 2008

AbstractResonant radiation force exerted on a single‐walled carbon nanotube is theoretically studied. Even under weak laser irradiation at room temperature, the acceleration of a nanotube caused by a radiation force becomes significantly large in the resonant excitation conditions of an exciton.The spectral peak frequencies of the acceleration are sensitive to the diameter of nanotubes and to the light polarization. These features are quite useful for nondestructive remote sorting and collection of nanotubes with desired structure and alignment. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Pump‐energy dependence of usual and unusual Bloch oscillations in a GaAs/AlAs superlattice
Authors: Hasegawa T. , Mizoguchi K. , Nakayama M. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractWe have systematically investigated the wave‐packet dynamics of Bloch oscillations (BOs) from the viewpoint of the characteristics of the Wannier‐Stark (WS) localization states in a GaAs (6.8 nm)/AlAs (0.9 nm) superlattice embedded in a p ‐i ‐n diode structure. The coherent oscillations were detected with a reflection‐type pump‐probe technique. It is clearly confirmed that the unusual BO with the frequency of 2eFD/h occurs in a weak localization regime in addition to the usual BO with eFD/h in a strong localization regime, where F is the applied electric field, and D is the superlattice period. The systematic results of the pump‐probe measurements as a function of pump energy indicate that the intensity of the unusual BO is drastically changed with pump energy, while a gradual change of that of the usual BO is observed. These results demonstrate that the quantum interference leading to the unusual BO with 2eFD/h is much sensitive to the pump energy compared with that of the usual BO. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Single NN pair luminescence and single photon generation in nitrogen δ‐doped GaP
Authors: Ikezawa Michio , Sakuma Yoshiki , Watanabe Masato , Masumoto Yasuaki 
Published: September 2008

AbstractLuminescence from individual nitrogen pairs (NN) were studied in nitrogen δ‐doped gallium phosphide. Density of NN pairs (NN3,4,5,6) were directly measured by counting the spot density in μ‐photoluminescence images in samples with different nitrogen densities. It was found that all the NN densities depend on the square of nitrogen sheet density suggesting that NN3∼6 definitely consists of two nitrogen atoms, although quantitative discrepancy was found for NN5 and NN6. In high resolution polarized spectrum of single NN4, two different polarization patterns due to different N‐N orientation were observed. Single photon generation from a single NN4 was demonstrated under pulsed optical excitation at 30 K. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optical fabrication of wide‐gap semiconductor nanoparticles in superfluid helium
Authors: Inaba Kazuhiro , Saito Takuji , Saito Yasuhiko , Ichimiya Masayoshi , Ashida Masaaki , Ichikawa Satoshi , Takeda Seiji , Itoh Tadashi 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe nanoparticles have been fabricated from CuCl powder by laser ablation in superfluid helium. We found that most of nanoparticles are CuCl nanocrystals with single‐crystal quality by means of electron diffraction and high‐resolution transmission electron microscope. Moreover, we performed cathodoluminescence spectroscopy of single nanoparticle prepared by laser ablation with use of a scanning electron microscope. I1 bound exciton luminescence which is characteristic in the bulk CuCl was clearly observed in the nanoparticle at 15 K. In addition, we found that the cathodoluminescence spectrum changes by the electron beam irradiation. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Exciton coherence in semiconductor quantum dots
Authors: Ishi‐Hayase Junko , Akahane Kouichi , Yamamoto Naokatsu , Kujiraoka Mamiko , Ema Kazuhiro , Sasaki Masahide 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe coherent dynamics of excitons in InAs quantum dots (QDs) was investigated in the telecommunication wavelength range using a transient four‐wave mixing technique. The sample was fabricated on an InP(311)B substrate using strain compensation to control the emission wavelength. This technique also enabled us to fabricate a 150‐layer stacked QD structure for obtaining a high S/N in the four‐wave mixing measurements, although no high‐sensitive heterodyne detection was carried out. The dephasing time and transition dipole moment were precisely estimated from the polarization dependence of signals, taking into account their anisotropic properties.The population lifetimes of the excitons were also measured by using a polarization‐dependent pumpprobe technique. A quantitative comparison of these anisotropies demonstrates that in our QDs, non‐radiative population relaxation, polarization relaxation and pure dephasing are considerably smaller than the radiative relaxation. A comparison of the results of the four‐wave mixing and pump‐probe measurements revealed that the pure dephasing could be directly estimated with an accuracy of greater than 0.1 meV by comparing the results of four‐wave mixing and pump‐probe measurements. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Molecular Evolution of a Steroid Hydroxylating Cytochrome P450 Using a Versatile Steroid Detection System for Screening
Authors: Virus Cornelia , Bernhardt Rita 
Published: September 2008

AbstractMolecular evolution is a powerful tool for improving or changing activities of enzymes for their use in biotechnological processes. Cytochromes P450 are highly interesting enzymes for biotechnological purposes because they are able to hydroxylate a broad variety of substrates with high regio‐ and stereoselectivity. One promising steroid hydroxylating cytochrome P450 for biotechnological applications is CYP106A2 from Bacillus megaterium ATCC 13368. It is one of a few known bacterial cytochromes P450 able to transform steroids such as progesterone and 11‐deoxycortisol. CYP106A2 can be easily expressed in Escherichia coli with a high yield and can be reconstituted using the adrenal redox proteins, adrenodoxin and adrenodoxin reductase. We developed a simple screening assay for this system and performed random mutagenesis of CYP106A2, yielding variants with improved 11‐deoxycortisol and progesterone hydroxylation activity. After two generations of directed evolution, we were able to improve the kcat/Km of the 11‐deoxycortisol hydroxylation by a factor of more than four. At the same time progesterone conversion was improved about 1.4‐fold. Mapping the mutations identified in catalytically improved CYP106A2 variants into the structure of a CYP106A2 model suggests that these mutations influence the mobility of the F/G loop, and the interaction with the redox partner adrenodoxin. The results show the evolution of a soluble steroid hydroxylase as a potential new catalyst for the production of steroidogenic compounds.
Pliocene dinoflagellate cyst stratigraphy, palaeoecology and sequence stratigraphy of the Tunnel-Canal Dock, Belgium
Authors: DE SCHEPPER STIJN , HEAD MARTIN J. , LOUWYE STEPHEN 
Published: September 2008

AbstractDinoflagellate cysts and sequence stratigraphy are used to date accurately the Tunnel-Canal Dock section, which contains the most complete record of marine Pliocene deposits in the Antwerp harbour area. The Zanclean Kattendijk Formation was deposited between 5.0 and 4.4 Ma during warm-temperate conditions on a shelf influenced by open-marine waters. The overlying Lillo Formation is divided into four members. The lowest is the Luchtbal Sands Member, estimated to have been deposited between 3.71 and 3.21 Ma, under cooler conditions but with an open-water influence. The Oorderen Sands, Kruisschans Sands and Merksem Sands members of the Lillo Formation are considered a single depositional sequence, and biostratigraphically dated between 3.71 andc. 2.6 Ma, with the Oorderen Sands Member no younger than 2.72–2.74 Ma. Warm-temperate conditions had returned, but a cooling event is noted within the Oorderen Sands Member. Shoaling of the depositional environment is also evidenced, with the transgressive Oorderen Sands Member passing upwards into (near-)coastal high-stand deposits of the Kruisschans Sands and Merksem Sands members, as accommodation space decreased. Applying sequence stratigraphy to our section implies that the Kattendijk/Lillo Formation boundary corresponds to the sequence boundary (SB) Za2 (4.04 Ma), the Luchtbal/Oorderen sands boundary to SB Pia1 (3.21 Ma), and the top of the Merksem Sands to SB Pia2 (2.76 Ma). Finally, the Belgian deposits are compared with marine Pliocene deposits of eastern England.
Primitive divisors in arithmetic dynamics
Authors: INGRAM PATRICK , SILVERMAN JOSEPH H. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractLet ϕ(z) ∈ (z) be a rational function of degree d ≥ 2 with ϕ(0) = 0 and such that ϕ does not vanish to order d at 0. Let α ∈ have infinite orbit under iteration of ϕ and write ϕn(α) = An/Bn as a fraction in lowest terms. We prove that for all but finitely many n ≥ 0, the numerator An has a primitive divisor, i.e., there is a prime p such that p | An and p ∤ Ai for all i < n. More generally, we prove an analogous result when ϕ is defined over a number field and 0 is a preperiodic point for ϕ.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): A Third Wave Behaviour Therapy
Authors: Cullen Chris 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis paper introduces Acceptance and commitment Therapy (ACT) as one of the newer contextualist behaviour therapies. A brief history of the development of ACT is outlined. The concepts of equivalence and laterality and the important relationship between Relational Frame Theory and ACT are then described. The “hexagram” summary of the six core linked processes in ACT is presented and, finally, the research evidence to support the effectiveness of ACT applied to a range of clinical conditions and client groups is summarized.
Unconventional serine proteases: Variations on the catalytic Ser/His/Asp triad configuration
Authors: Ekici Özlem Doğan , Paetzel Mark , Dalbey Ross E. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractSerine proteases comprise nearly one‐third of all known proteases identified to date and play crucial roles in a wide variety of cellular as well as extracellular functions, including the process of blood clotting, protein digestion, cell signaling, inflammation, and protein processing. Their hallmark is that they contain the so‐called “classical” catalytic Ser/His/Asp triad. Although the classical serine proteases are the most widespread in nature, there exist a variety of “nonclassical” serine proteases where variations to the catalytic triad are observed. Such variations include the triads Ser/His/Glu, Ser/His/His, and Ser/Glu/Asp, and include the dyads Ser/Lys and Ser/His. Other variations are seen with certain serine and threonine peptidases of the Ntn hydrolase superfamily that carry out catalysis with a single active site residue. This work discusses the structure and function of these novel serine proteases and threonine proteases and how their catalytic machinery differs from the prototypic serine protease class.
Characterization of Bacillus anthracis iron‐regulated surface determinant (Isd) proteins containing NEAT domains
Authors: Gat Orit , Zaide Galia , Inbar Izhak , Grosfeld Haim , Chitlaru Theodor , Levy Haim , Shafferman Avigdor 
Published: September 2008

SummaryThree iron‐regulated surface determinant (Isd) proteins, containing NEAr Transporter (NEAT) domains (GBAA4789‐7), constitute part of an eight‐member Bacillus anthracis operon. GBAA4789 (IsdC), previously characterized by others as a haem‐binding protein, and two novel Isd proteins characterized in this study, GBAA4788 (IsdJ) and GBAA4787 (IsdK) proteins, can be translated from two alternative overlapping transcriptional units. The three NEAT‐containing Isd proteins are shown to be expressed in vivo during B. anthracis infection. Expression in vitro is regulated by iron ions independent of the virulence plasmids pXO1 and pXO2, yet their presence affects the range of response to iron ion concentration. The expression of IsdC, J and K is strongly repressed under high CO2 tension, conditions that are optimal for B. anthracis toxin and capsule expression, suggesting that these Isd proteins are elements of a B. anthracis‘air‐regulon’. Deletion mutants of isdC, isdK or the entire isdCJK locus are as virulent and pathogenic to guinea pigs as the fully virulent wild‐type Vollum strain. The isdC‐deleted mutant is defective in sequestration of haemin, consistent with previous biochemical observations, while the ΔisdK mutant is defective in haemoglobin uptake. Studies with recombinant IsdK demonstrate specific binding to haemoglobin.
Rsd family proteins make simultaneous interactions with regions 2 and 4 of the primary sigma factor
Authors: Yuan Andy H. , Gregory Brian D. , Sharp Josh S. , McCleary Katherine D. , Dove Simon L. , Hochschild Ann 
Published: September 2008

SummaryBacterial anti‐σ factors typically regulate σ factor function by restricting the access of their cognate σ factors to the RNA polymerase (RNAP) core enzyme. The Escherichia coli Rsd protein forms a complex with the primary σ factor, σ70, inhibits σ70‐dependent transcription in vitro, and has been proposed to function as a σ70‐specific anti‐σ factor, thereby facilitating the utilization of alternative σ factors. In prior work, Rsd has been shown to interact with conserved region 4 of σ70, but it is not known whether this interaction suffices to account for the regulatory functions of Rsd. Here we show that Rsd and the Rsd orthologue AlgQ, a global regulator of gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, interact with conserved region 2 of σ70. We show further that Rsd and AlgQ can interact simultaneously with regions 2 and 4 of σ70. Our findings establish that the abilities of Rsd and AlgQ to interact with σ70 region 2 are important determinants of their in vitro and in vivo activities.
Effect of different challenge doses after repeated citalopram treatment on extracellular serotonin level in the medial prefrontal cortex: In vivo microdialysis study
Authors: Muraki Ihoko , Inoue Takeshi , Hashimoto Shinji , Izumi Takeshi , Koyama Tsukasa 
Published: September 2008

Aims:  In order to elucidate the relevance between the delayed onset of clinical efficacy of selective serotonin re‐uptake inhibitors (SSRI) and extracellular 5‐HT levels in the medial prefrontal cortex, the present study compared the ability of low‐dose (3 mg/kg) and high‐dose (30 mg/kg) citalopram to increase extracellular 5‐HT levels in the medial prefrontal cortex following repeated citalopram treatment using in vivo microdialysis.Methods:  An SSRI, citalopram, was given 10 mg/kg, s.c. twice daily for 6 days and once on the seventh day in rats. On the eighth day, rats received a single injection of citalopram (3 or 30 mg/kg s.c.), and extracellular 5‐HT levels were assessed in the medial prefrontal cortex of rats using in vivo brain microdialysis.Results:  There was no significant difference in basal extracellular 5‐HT levels between the repeated citalopram group and the repeated saline group. The low‐challenge dose of citalopram (3 mg/kg) produced significantly greater increases (170–200% at each time point) in the repeated citalopram group than in the repeated saline group (150%). The high‐challenge dose of citalopram (30 mg/kg), however, increased extracellular 5‐HT levels by 200–250% of basal levels in the repeated citalopram group, which was similar to the increases in the repeated saline group.Conclusions:  Repeated SSRI treatment enhances the effect of low‐dose SSRI on extracellular 5‐HT levels but not that of high‐dose SSRI.