bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Avian pancreatic polypeptide fragments refold to native aPP conformation when combined in solution: A CD and VCD study
Authors: Copps Jeffrey , Murphy Richard F. , Lovas Sándor 
Published: April 2006

AbstractAn equimolar mixture of avian pancreatic polypeptide (aPP) fragments aPP(1–11)‐NH2 and Ac‐aPP(12–36) had an electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectrum that was similar to that of whole aPP in H2O and even more so in 30% (v/v) trifluoroethanol (TFE) in 15 mM Na2HPO4, but was different from the sum of the spectra of the individual fragments. The vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectrum of the combined fragments in 30% (v/v) TFE in 15 mM Na2HPO4 in D2O was also similar to that of the intact aPP and unlike the sum of the VCD spectra of the fragments. The interaction of these fragments is thus sufficient to support the conformation of whole aPP. This study demonstrates that VCD, in combination with ECD, is useful for the study of protein–protein interactions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 83: 32–38, 2006This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Animated instructional software for mechanics of materials: Implementation and assessment
Authors: Philpot Timothy A. , Hall Richard H. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractDuring the past 3 years, the Basic Engineering Department at the University of Missouri, Rolla has been developing a second‐generation suite of instructional software called MecMovies for the Mechanics of Materials course. The MecMovies suite consists of over 110 animated example problems, drill‐and‐practice games, and interactive exercises. Students generally respond favorably to software of this type; however, much of the data that has been gathered to assess the effectiveness of similar software has been anecdotal. The method by which instructional software is incorporated into the engineering class is partly responsible for this lack of systematic evaluation. Often, software packages have been implemented in the classroom as supplemental material—recommended but not required. In the Fall 2003 semester, MecMovies was integrated thoroughly into the course assignments for one of the six UMR Mechanics of Materials sections. Four professors were involved in the study, and student performance in the experimental MecMovies section was compared to performance in the five control sections through a common final exam. At the end of the semester, students who used the MecMovies software also completed a survey questionnaire consisting of a number of subjective rating items. This paper presents a comparison of student performance in the experimental and control sections along with discussion of student qualitative ratings and comments. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 14: 31–43, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20065
Estrogen‐based hormone therapy and thrombosis risk in women with essential thrombocythemia
Authors: Gangat Naseema , Wolanskyj Alexandra P. , Schwager Susan M. , Mesa Ruben A. , Tefferi Ayalew 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBACKGROUNDThere is currently insufficient evidence to either support or refute an association between estrogen‐based hormone treatment (EBHT) and thrombosis risk in essential thrombocythemia (ET).METHODSA retrospective review of thrombotic events, which occurred both at diagnosis of ET and during subsequent follow‐up, was performed in a consecutive cohort of women with WHO‐defined ET seen at the Mayo Clinic. Details of EBHT were concomitantly obtained.RESULTSA total of 305 women were seen during the study period and followed for a median of 133 months. EBHT at diagnosis was documented in 59 women and such therapy was instituted at a variable time after diagnosis in 34 additional patients. At diagnosis, major thrombosis occurred in 73 patients (24%), including 11 of 59 (19%) on EBHT and 62 of 246 (25%) not on EBHT (P = .28). Thrombosis after diagnosis occurred in 94 patients (31%), including 64 of 212 (30%) not on EBHT, 5 of 17 (29%) in whom EBHT was discontinued at diagnosis, 13 of 42 (31%) in whom EBHT was continued despite the diagnosis of ET, and 12 of 34 (35%) in whom EBHT was started after diagnosis (P = .95). The overall results were the same when arterial and venous events were analyzed separately. However, EBHT in the form of oral contraceptives (OCP) was associated with an increased risk of venous thrombosis (P = .03).CONCLUSIONSEBHT is safe in ET outside the setting of OCP use, which might be associated with an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Trends in drug resistance mutations in antiretroviral‐naïve intravenous drug users of Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Maia Teixeira Sylvia Lopes , Bastos Francisco Inácio , Hacker Mariana A. , Guimarães Monick Lindenmeyer , Morgado Mariza Gonçalves 
Published: April 2006

AbstractDNA sequencing of a pol gene fragment from drug‐naive injecting drug users samples obtained at two time points of the Brazilian AIDS epidemic (Pre‐HAART era: 1994 to early 1997, n = 27; post‐HAART era: 1999–2001, n = 38) was undertaken to assess HIV‐1 antiretroviral drug resistance mutations and subtyping profiles. Genotypic analysis revealed the presence of PR primary L90M, D30N, M46I, and V82A mutations in 7.9% of the post‐HAART group, and a high frequency of secondary mutations (84.2%). Nucleoside RT‐associated mutations were observed in 13.2%. In the pre‐HAART group, a higher frequency of RT mutations was observed (22.2%) and no PR primary mutations were found, in agreement with the introduction of protease inhibitors (PIs) in therapy during the same period. The identification of 7.9% of drug‐naive injecting drug users already bearing RT/PR primary resistance mutations in the post‐HAART era group constitutes a major concern in terms of dissemination of drug resistant viruses. The resistance mutations profile of the individuals may reflect the context of antiretroviral treatment in Brazil at the sample collection periods (1994–1997 and 1999–2001). In spite of the differences observed in the drug resistance profiles, similar frequencies of subtype B (63.0 vs. 73.7%), F (22.2 vs. 10.5%), and recombinant B/F (14.8 vs. 15.8%) viruses were found, respectively, in the pre‐ and post‐HAART groups. J. Med. Virol. 78:764–769, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exploring the relationship between the North Atlantic oscillation and rainfall patterns in Barbados
Authors: Charlery J. , Nurse L. , Whitehall K. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe North Atlantic oscillation (NAO) is a large‐scale seesawing movement of atmospheric mass between the North Atlantic subtropical high‐pressure system and the Icelandic low‐pressure system. This phenomenon has been acknowledged as the dominant mode of winter climate variability in the temperate latitudes of the North Atlantic region. In this study, an attempt is made to identify the effect of the NAO on the rainfall pattern in the Eastern Caribbean, based on data from a representative station in that subregion.Rainfall data taken from a southeastern coastal station in Barbados are used to explore the relationship between the behavior of the NAO (using standardized monthly indexes) and the rainfall pattern at that station. In the period considered (1950–2004), the NAO is shown to have a very significant effect on the monthly variability of rainfall in Barbados during both El Niño and La Niña periods. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society
Sciatic and peroneal nerve injuries
Authors: Korompilias Anastasios V. , Payatakes Alexandros H. , Beris Alexandros E. , Vekris Marios D. , Afendras Gerasimos D. , Soucacos Panayotis N. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractIn the past, the attitude toward surgical repair of sciatic and peroneal nerve lesions was excessively pessimistic. Refinements of microsurgical technique, nerve conduction studies, and the establishment of indications and optimal timings for surgical interventions have led to significant improvements in outcomes, making repair worthwhile in most cases. Tendon transfers can augment functional outcomes, and are performed as secondary procedures or (in selected cases) in combination with the initial repair. Developments in the basic sciences, bioengineering, and medical imaging may further improve the results of management of these serious nerve injuries. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2006
Adsorption behavior of PS‐PEO diblock copolymers on silver and alumina surfaces: A surface plasmon resonance study
Authors: Koutsioubas Alexandros G. , Spiliopoulos Nikolaos , Anastassopoulos Dimitrios L. , Vradis Alexandros A. , Toprakcioglu Chris , Priftis George D. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractIn this work, the adsorption behavior at the silver/toluene and alumina/toluene interface of polystyrene–polyethylene oxide (PS‐PEO) diblock copolymers of various molecular weights was investigated by implementation of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique. This was accomplished under a careful choice of experimental setup and the use of a suitable physical model for the interpretation of the experimental data. Comparison between polystyrene homopolymer and PS‐PEO diblock copolymer adsorption measurements indicate that PS‐PEO is anchored on the alumina surface via the PEO block, while on silver the copolymer is attached by various chain segments. The measured final adsorption amounts on alumina are typical of end‐attached polymeric brush formation while the dynamics of the adsorption process present two clearly different evolution regimes. This work provides insight into the many advantages of the use of the SPR technique as a valuable tool for similar surface studies. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1580–1591, 2006
Spectroscopic properties as a function of fluorine content in Eu3+:PMMA
Authors: Gordon Jennifer , Ballato John , Jin Jianyong , Smith Dennis W. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractIn this work europium was used as a spectroscopic probe of the local environment about a lanthanide dopant in a fluorinated copolymer of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Fluorination of PMMA was achieved through copolymerization with heptafluorobutyl methacrylate (HFBMA). Samples were characterized for their refractive index, glass transition temperature (Tg), and optical emissions via prism coupling, differential scanning calorimetry, and fluorescence spectroscopy respectively. The refractive index and Tgs were found to decrease linearly with fluorine content. The hypersensitivity ratio, which is defined as the ratio of integrated emission intensity between the 5D0 → 7F2 hypersensitive transition and 5D0 → 7F1 magnetic dipole transition in Eu3+, was found to decrease by ∼60% when the HFBMA copolymer content exceeded about 75% by weight. This implies a change in the local environment about the rare earth dopant that is dependent on the copolymer concentration and is likely due to changes in solubility between the ligand and host environment. The results show that fluorination of PMMA can be useful to tailor refractive index, glass transition, and the spectroscopic properties of active dopants. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1592–1596, 2006
Cocrystallization phenomena in novel poly(diethylene terephthalate‐co‐thiodiethylene terephthalate) copolyesters
Authors: Siracusa Valentina , Gazzano Massimo , Finelli Lara , Lotti Nadia , Munari Andrea 
Published: April 2006

AbstractPoly(diethylene terephthalate‐co‐thiodiethylene terephthalate) (PDET/TDET) copolymers of various compositions were synthesized and characterized in terms of chemical structure and molecular weight. The thermal behavior was examined by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. All the polymers showed a good thermal stability. At room temperature they appeared as semicrystalline materials: the main effect of copolymerization was a lowering in the amount of crystallinity and a decrease of melting temperature with respect to homopolymers. WAXD measurements indicated that cocrystallization occurs over an extended composition range and three different crystalline phases have been identified. In particular, the applicability of Wendling–Suter's equation has been checked for the PDET/TDET copolymers with TDET unit content ranging from 60 to 90 mol %. Amorphous samples were obtained after melt quenching and a decrease of Tg as the content of TDET units is increased was observed. This behavior was explained as due to the presence of flexible CSC bonds in the polymeric chain. Lastly, the Fox equation well described Tg‐composition data. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1562–1571, 2006
Plant‐derived natural products exhibiting activity against formosan subterranean termites (Coptotermes formosanus)
Authors: Meepagala Kumudini M , Osbrink Weste , Sturtz George , Lax Alan 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, is among the most devastating termite pests. Natural products derived from plant extracts were tested in a discovery programme for effective, environmentally friendly termite control agents. Among the natural products tested, vulgarone B (isolated from Artemisia douglasiana Besser), apiol (isolated from Ligusticum hultenii (Fern.) Calder & Taylor) and cnicin (isolated from Centaurea maculosa Lam.) exhibited significantly higher mortalities than in untreated controls in laboratory bioassay. These compounds are present at high levels in their respective plant sources and also possess other biological activities such as phytotoxic and antifungal properties. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
8th International Workshop on Nonlinear Optics and Excitation Kinetics in Semiconductors (NOEKS 8), Münster, Germany, 20–24 February 2006
Authors: Knorr Andreas , Stolz Heinrich 
Published: April 2006

AbstractConference Reports are meant to offer an authoritative view on a recently held scientific meeting rather than a comprehensive list of the conference presentations. Authors are invited to describe what they feel were the most interesting contributions.The full Proceedings of NOEKS 8 will be published in phys. stat. sol. (b) and phys. stat. sol. (c) in autumn 2006.
Improved cell typing by charge‐state deconvolution of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectra
Authors: Wilkes Jon G. , Buzatu Dan A. , Dare Diane J. , Dragan Yvonne P. , Chiarelli M. Paul , Holland Ricky D. , Beaudoin Michael , Heinze Thomas M. , Nayak Rajesh , Shvartsburg Alexandre A. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractRobust, specific, and rapid identification of toxic strains of bacteria and viruses, to guide the mitigation of their adverse health effects and optimum implementation of other response actions, remains a major analytical challenge. This need has driven the development of methods for classification of microorganisms using mass spectrometry, particularly matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS), that allows high‐throughput analyses with minimum sample preparation. We describe a novel approach to cell typing based on pattern recognition of MALDI mass spectra, which involves charge‐state deconvolution in conjunction with a new correlation analysis procedure. The method is applicable to both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Charge‐state deconvolution improves the quantitative reproducibility of spectra because multiply charged ions resulting from the same biomarker attaching a different number of protons are recognized and their abundances are combined. This allows a clearer distinction of bacterial strains or of cancerous and normal liver cells. Improved class distinction provided by charge‐state deconvolution was demonstrated by cluster spacing on canonical variate score charts and by correlation analyses. Deconvolution may enhance detection of early disease state or therapy progress markers in various tissues analyzed by MALDI‐MS. Published in 2006 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combining protein identification and quantification: C‐terminal isotope‐coded tagging using sulfanilic acid
Authors: Panchaud Alexandre , Guillaume Elisabeth , Affolter Michael , Robert Fabien , Moreillon Philippe , Kussmann Martin 
Published: April 2006

AbstractTwo methods of differential isotopic coding of carboxylic groups have been developed to date. The first approach uses d0‐ or d3‐methanol to convert carboxyl groups into the corresponding methyl esters. The second relies on the incorporation of two 18O atoms into the C‐terminal carboxylic group during tryptic digestion of proteins in H218O. However, both methods have limitations such as chromatographic separation of 1H and 2H derivatives or overlap of isotopic distributions of light and heavy forms due to small mass shifts. Here we present a new tagging approach based on the specific incorporation of sulfanilic acid into carboxylic groups. The reagent was synthesized in a heavy form (13C phenyl ring), showing no chromatographic shift and an optimal isotopic separation with a 6 Da mass shift. Moreover, sulfanilic acid allows for simplified fragmentation in matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) due the charge fixation of the sulfonate group at the C‐terminus of the peptide. The derivatization is simple, specific and minimizes the number of sample treatment steps that can strongly alter the sample composition. The quantification is reproducible within an order of magnitude and can be analyzed either by electrospray ionization (ESI) or MALDI. Finally, the method is able to specifically identify the C‐terminal peptide of a protein by using GluC as the proteolytic enzyme. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous analysis of prostanoids using liquid chromatography/high‐field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Kapron James , Wu Jin , Mauriala Timo , Clark Patsy , Purves Randy W. , Bateman Kevin P. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractA liquid chromatography/high‐field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry/tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐FAIMS‐MS/MS) semi‐quantitative method was developed for the simultaneous determination of prostaglandin (PG) E2, PGD2, PGF2α, 6‐keto‐PGF1α, and thromboxane (TX) B2. Diluted samples containing these prostanoids and their tetra‐deuterium‐substituted internal standards were analyzed by LC followed by either selected reaction monitoring (LC‐SRM) or FAIMS and selected reaction monitoring (LC‐FRM). FAIMS reduced background noise, separated the isobaric ions PGE2 and PGD2, and separated dynamically interchanging TXB2 anomers. This is the first report of the separation of interconverting anomers by FAIMS. Generally, the LC‐FRM chromatograms were more selective than the LC‐SRM chromatograms. Its potential was demonstrated by analysis of prostanoids in guinea pig lumbar spinal cord homogenate. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonsingular path following control of a unicycle in the presence of parametric modelling uncertainties
Authors: Lapierre L. , Soetanto D. , Pascoal A. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractA new type of control law is derived to steer the dynamic model of a wheeled robot of unicycle type along a desired path. The methodology adopted for path following control deals explicitly with vehicle dynamics and plant parameter uncertainty. Furthermore, it overcomes stringent initial condition constraints that are present in a number of path following control strategies described in the literature. This is done by controlling explicitly the rate of progression of a ‘virtual target’ to be tracked along the path, thus bypassing the problems that arise when the position of the virtual target is simply defined by the projection of the actual vehicle on that path. In the paper, a nonlinear adaptive control law is derived that yields convergence of the (closed‐loop system) path following error trajectories to zero. Controller design relies on Lyapunov theory and backstepping techniques. Simulation results illustrate the performance of the control system proposed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tipping point failure and robustness in single development projects
Authors: Taylor Tim , Ford David N. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractTipping point feedback structures can push a series of product development projects into fire‐fighting mode in which rework overwhelms progress. Similar dynamics also threaten the performance of individual development projects. The current work extends previous tipping point dynamics research to single projects and demonstrates how a simple, common feedback structure can cause complex tipping point dynamics, trap projects in deteriorating modes of behavior, and cause projects to fail. Basic tipping point dynamics in single projects are described, demonstrated, and analyzed with a model. The concept of applying robustness to project design is preliminarily tested and system robustness to tipping point‐induced failure is quantified for a simple project and analyzed with sensitivity analysis. Impacts of tipping points on project performance and future research opportunities concerning tipping point and robustness in project management are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrasound‐guided radiofrequency‐driven umbilical cord occlusion: an in‐vitro study
Authors: Morel O. , Tran N. , Marchal F. , Hennequin V. , Foliguet B. , Villemot J. P. , Thiebaugeorges O. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the ability and safety of radiofrequency (RF) to induce cord thermal lesions using in‐vitro perfused umbilical cords.MethodsNineteen human term umbilical cords were cannulated at both ends and perfused continuously with saline serum in a saline serum bath (37 °C). The RF electrode was then inserted into the cord close to the umbilical vein. Different RF power and temperature controls were applied to determine the optimal RF procedure in terms of cord tissue injury and safety in nine experiments. The safety of RF procedures was investigated in ten cords by measuring temperature changes at different sites close to the RF electrode insertion and the impact of RF on cord narrowing was evaluated by continuous monitoring of intraluminal pressure. Subsequent histopathological analysis was carried out in all cases.ResultsThe optimal RF procedure reached a temperature of 100 °C in 10 min. RF produced a significant increase in intraluminal pressure (from 54.2 ± 16.4 mmHg at baseline to 118.3 ± 42.7 mmHg after 10 min, P < 0.05). There was no significant increase in temperature next to the site of insertion during the RF procedure. Histopathological analysis confirmed a > 30% decrease in cord and vein diameter. Cord tissue lesions were characterized by damage in the vessel walls and in the surrounding Wharton's jelly.ConclusionOur results suggest that RF might be a feasible and safe technique to induce occlusion of umbilical vessels. Further in‐vivo experiments are needed to assess its ability to induce a complete occlusion of the umbilical cord. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.