bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sodium and color removal from treated paper and pulp mill effluent using vermiculite
Authors: Jayabalakrishnan R.M. , Mahimairaja S. , Udayasoorian C. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractColumn studies were carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of tertiary treatment of paper and pulp mill effluent through mono and mixed columns (different grades) of vermiculite. It was found that maximum sodium percentage removal was 50% in mixed columns (RVG2 + RVG3) whereas the mono columns was less efficient in removing to the tune of 35.2% of Na in RVG2. Incase of retention of sodium and removal of color it followed a general trend where, maximum adsorption was noticed at the first pore volume and it followed a linear decreasing trend during the second pore volume whereas in the third pore volume it was almost static and there was only a meager adsorption in Na and color. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2008
Linear and threshold forecasts of output and inflation using stock and housing prices
Authors: Tkacz Greg , Wilkins Carolyn 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThis study examines whether simple measures of Canadian equity and housing price misalignments contain leading information about output growth and inflation. Previous authors have generally found that the information content of asset prices in general, and equity and housing prices in particular, are unreliable in that they do not systematically predict future economic activity or inflation. However, earlier studies relied on simple linear relationships that would fail to pick up the potential nonlinear effects of asset price misalignments. Our results suggest that housing prices are useful for predicting GDP growth, even within a linear context. Meanwhile, both stock and housing prices can improve inflation forecasts, especially when using a threshold specification. These improvements in forecast performance are relative to the information contained in Phillips‐curve type indicators for inflation and IS‐curve type indicators for GDP growth. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
3D‐reconstruction and functional properties of GFP‐positive and GFP‐negative granule cells in the fascia dentata of the Thy1‐GFP mouse
Authors: Vuksic Mario , Del Turco Domenico , Bas Orth Carlos , Burbach Guido J. , Feng Guoping , Müller Christian M. , Schwarzacher Stephan W. , Deller Thomas 
Published: January 2008

AbstractGranule cells of the mouse fascia dentata are widely used in studies on neuronal development and plasticity. In contrast to the rat, however, high‐resolution morphometric data on these cells are scarce. Thus, we have analyzed granule cells in the fascia dentata of the adult Thy1‐GFP mouse (C57BL/6 background). In this mouse line, single neurons in the granule cell layer are GFP‐labeled, making them amenable to high‐resolution 3D‐reconstruction. First, calbindin or parvalbumin‐immunofluorescence was used to identify GFP‐positive cells as granule cells. Second, the dorsal‐ventral distribution of GFP‐positive granule cells was studied: In the dorsal part of the fascia dentata 11% and in the ventral part 15% of all granule cells were GFP‐positive. Third, GFP‐positive and GFP‐negative granule cells were compared using intracellular dye‐filling (fixed slice technique) and patch‐clamp recordings; no differences were observed between the cells. Finally, GFP‐positive granule cells (dorsal and ventral fascia dentata) were imaged at high resolution with a confocal microscope, 3D‐reconstructed in their entirety and analyzed for soma size, total dendritic length, number of segments, total number of spines and spine density. Sholl analysis revealed that dendritic complexity of granule cells is maximal 150–200 μm from the soma. Granule cells located in the ventral part of the hippocampus revealed a greater degree of dendritic complexity compared to cells in the dorsal part. Taken together, this study provides morphometric data on granule cells of mice bred on a C57BL/6 background and establishes the Thy1‐GFP mouse as a tool to study granule cell neurobiology. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effect of nicotine on spiking activity and Ca2+dynamics of dendritic spines in rat CA1 pyramidal neurons
Authors: Szabo Szilard I. , Zelles Tibor , Vizi E. Sylvester , Lendvai Balazs 
Published: January 2008

AbstractNicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) of the hippocampus have been thought to contribute to cognitive enhancement by cigarette smoking. Although positive modulation on cognitive functions is linked to the smoked, low‐dose nicotine, the cellular correlate behind this modulation is unknown. It has been accepted that cellular mechanisms underlying plastic effects on memory involve the association of backpropagating action potentials (bAPs) with synaptic activity in the hippocampus. Here, we show the effects of low‐dose (1 μM) nicotine on bAP‐evoked Ca2+transients in basal dendrites and spines of pyramidal neurons in rat hippocampal slices. Although nicotine application failed to have any direct effect in low concentration, it could significantly enhance bAP‐evoked Ca2+transients through presynaptic nAChRs located on axon terminals innervating pyramidal cells. The activation of these receptors is known to release neurotransmitters and induce postsynaptic currents. High‐dose (250–500 μM) nicotine could induce firing and Ca2+accumulation in spines. Large amplitude currents were observed occasionally (8 out of 18 cells) in voltage clamp recordings in response to pressure application of high‐dose nicotine. This may explain the relatively low incidence of nicotine‐induced firing (7 out of 27 cells) under current clamp. These data indicate that (i) activation of presynaptic nAChRs can modulate backreporting in dendrites of pyramidal neurons and (ii) there is a group of pyramidal neurons with higher nicotine‐sensitivity, producing firing at strong stimulations. Our data revealed a subcellular effect of nicotine through regulation of Ca2+levels in the computational units of pyramidal neurons. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The role of immunomodulation in ABO‐incompatible adult liver transplant recipients
Authors: Urbani Lucio , Mazzoni Alessandro , Bianco Irene , Grazzini Tiziana , De Simone Paolo , Catalano Gabriele , Montin Umberto , Petruccelli Stefania , Morelli Luca , Campani Daniela , Pollina Luca , Biancofiore Gianni , Bindi Lucia , Tascini Carlo , Menichetti Francesco , Scatena Fabrizio , Filipponi Franco 
Published: January 2008

AbstractBackground:ABO‐incompatible (ABO‐i) liver transplantation (LT) is a high‐risk procedure due to the potential for antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR) and cell‐mediated rejection. The aim of the current report is to illustrate the results of a retrospective comparison study on the use of immunomodulation with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) associated to high‐dose immunoglobulins (IVIg) and extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) in ABO‐i adult LT patients.Patients and methods:Between January 1996 and December 2005, 19 patients underwent ABO‐i LT. The study was designed for a comparison between two groups of ABO‐i LT. Group 1 (control group) consisted of 11 patients treated with TPE only. Group 2 (study group) included eight patients treated with TPE and IVIg. Moreover, all Group 2 patients received acute rejection prophylaxis with ECP.Results:The graft survival at 6, 12, and 18 months was 63.6, 54.4, and 45.5% for Group 1 vs. 87.5, 87.5, and 87.5% for Group 2 (P ≤ 0.001). In Group 1 there were 3(27.3%) cases of AMR; 5 (45.4%) biopsy‐proven acute rejections (BPAR); 1 (9.1%) chronic rejection and 3 (27.3%) ischemic‐type biliary lesions (ITBL). In Group 2 there were no cases of AMR, BPAR, chronic rejection, or ITBL (P = 0.013).Conclusion:At median follow‐up of 568 days, TPE in combination with IVIg and ECP appears to protect the graft from AMR in ABO‐i liver transplantation. Continued patient enrollment will allow validation of these preliminary observations or the opportunity to devise newer AMR‐avoidance policies. J. Clin. Apheresis 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Safflower extract: A novel renal fibrosis antagonist that functions by suppressing autocrine TGF‐beta
Authors: Yang Yu‐Lin , Chang Shan‐Yu , Teng Hsiang‐Chun , Liu Yi‐Shiuan , Lee Tao‐Chen , Chuang Lea‐Yea , Guh Jinn‐Yuh , Chang Fang‐Rong , Liao Tung‐Nan , Huang Jau‐Shyang , Yeh Jeng‐Hsien , Chang Wen‐Teng , Hung Min‐Yuan , Wang Ching‐Jen , Chiang Tai‐An , Hung Chien‐Ya , Hung Tsung‐Jen 
Published: January 2008

AbstractProgressive renal disease is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins in the renal interstitium. Hence, developing agents that antagonize fibrogenic signals is a critical issue facing researchers. The present study investigated the blood‐circulation‐promoting Chinese herb, safflower, on fibrosis status in NRK‐49F cells, a normal rat kidney interstitial fibroblast, to evaluate the underlying signal transduction mechanism of transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β), a potent fibrogenic growth factor. Safflower was characterized and extracted using water. Renal fibrosis model was established both in vitro with fibroblast cells treated with β‐hydroxybutyrate and in vivo using rats undergone unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Western blotting was used to examine protein expression in TGF‐β‐related signal proteins such as type I and type II TGF‐β receptor, Smads2/3, pSmad2/3, Smads4, and Smads7. ELISA was used to analyze bioactive TGF‐β1 and fibronectin levels in the culture media. Safflower extract (SE) significantly inhibited β‐HB‐induced fibrosis in NRK cells concomitantly with dose‐dependent inhibition of the type I TGF‐β1 receptor and its down‐stream signals (i.e., Smad). Moreover, SE dose‐dependently enhanced inhibitory Smad7. Thus, SE can suppress renal cellular fibrosis by inhibiting the TGF‐β autocrine loop. Moreover, remarkably lower levels of tissue collagen were noted in the nephron and serum TGF‐β1 of UUO rats receiving oral SE (0.15 g/3 ml/0.25 kg/day) compared with the untreated controls. Hence, SE is a potential inhibitor of renal fibrosis. We suggest that safflower is a novel renal fibrosis antagonist that functions by down‐regulating TGF‐β signals. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 908–919, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
TULA proteins regulate activity of the protein tyrosine kinase Syk
Authors: Agrawal Rachana , Carpino Nick , Tsygankov Alexander 
Published: January 2008

AbstractTULA belongs to a two‐member family: TULA (STS‐2) is a lymphoid protein, whereas STS‐1/TULA‐2 is expressed ubiquitously. TULA proteins were implicated in the regulation of signaling mediated by protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs). The initial experiments did not fully reveal the molecular mechanism of these effects, but suggested that both TULA proteins act in a similar fashion. It was shown recently that STS‐1/TULA‐2 dephosphorylates PTKs. In this study, we analyzed the effects of TULA proteins on Syk, a PTK playing an important role in lymphoid signaling. First, we have shown that TULA‐2 decreases tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk in vivo and in vitro and that the intact phosphatase domain of TULA‐2 is essential for this effect. We have also shown that TULA‐2 exhibits a certain degree of substrate specificity. Our results also indicate that inactivated TULA‐2 increases tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk in cells co‐transfected to overexpress these proteins, thus acting as a dominant‐negative form that suppresses dephosphorylation of Syk caused by endogenous TULA‐2. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that phosphatase activity of TULA is negligible as compared to that of TULA‐2 and that this finding correlates with an increase in Syk tyrosine phosphorylation in cells overexpressing TULA. This result is consistent with the dominant‐negative effect of inactivated TULA‐2, arguing that TULA acts in this system as a negative regulator of TULA‐2‐dependent dephosphorylation. To summarize, our findings indicate that TULA proteins may exert opposite effects on PTK‐mediated signaling and suggest that a regulatory mechanism based on this feature may exist. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 953–964, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
TNF‐α receptor 1 deficiency enhances kainic acid–induced hippocampal injury in mice
Authors: Lu Ming‐Ou , Zhang Xing‐Mei , Mix Eilhard , Quezada Hernan Concha , Jin Tao , Zhu Jie , Adem Abdu 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe exact role of TNF‐α in excitotoxic neurodegeneration of the brain is unclear. To address this issue, the kainic acid (KA)–induced hippocampal injury model, a well‐characterized model of human neurodegenerative diseases, was used in TNF‐α receptor 1 (TNFR1)–knockout (TNFR1−/−) mice in the present study. After nasal application of a single dose of 40 mg of KA per kilogram body weight, TNFR1−/− mice showed significantly more severe seizures than the wild‐type mice. In addition, obvious neurodegeneration, enhanced microglia activation, and astrogliosis in the hippocampus, as well as increased locomotor activity, were found in TNFR1−/− mice compared with the wild‐type controls 8 days after KA delivery. Moreover, CC chemokine receptor 3 expression on activated microglia was increased 3 days after KA treatment in TNFR1−/− mice, as measured by flow cytometry. These data suggest that TNF‐α may play a protective role through TNFR1 signaling. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dual roles of the MAPK/ERK1/2 cell signaling pathway after stroke
Authors: Sawe Nik , Steinberg Gary , Zhao Heng 
Published: January 2008

AbstractExtracellular signal–regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), one of the best‐characterized members of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, mediates a range of activity from metabolism, motility, and inflammation to cell death and survival. It is phosphorylated and activated through a three‐tiered MEK mode via cell surface receptors stimulated by growth factors or cytokines. The phosphorylated ERK1/2 level is usually increased after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, but whether an increase in ERK1/2 phosphorylation is protective or detrimental is highly debatable. Much of the support for ERK1/2's role as a neuroprotectant against stroke stems from its apparent involvement in the beneficial effects of growth factors, estrogen, preconditioning, and hypothermia on the ischemic brain. Conversely, evidence supporting the detrimental effects of ERK1/2 activity is derived from its activation promoting inflammation and oxidative stress and its inhibition reducing ischemic damage. The dual potential of ERK1/2 actions in the ischemic brain is likely related to its responses to a diverse array of agonists and cell surface receptors. Plausibly, the ERK1/2 activity generated by cytokines and free radicals or other inflammatory factors after stroke may worsen ischemic damage, whereas the ERK1/2 activity produced by exogenous growth factors, estrogen, and preconditioning favors neuroprotection. Future experiments should be conducted to optimize the protective effect of ERK1/2 while blocking its detrimental actions. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Acid–base interactions between formamide and tetrahydrofuran molecules: Raman investigation of speciation in a binary system of biological interest
Authors: Benevenuto Rodrigo L. , Alves Wagner A. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractRaman spectra of formamide (FA) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) mixtures at different compositions were obtained. The appearance of new bands at 897 and 1612 cm−1, whose intensities show large dependence on the FA concentration, are assigned to an FA–THF adduct. This assignment is supported by the Lewis acid–base theory, where the two H‐bond donor sites of FA and the strong donor character of THF became the environment propitious for the donor‐acceptor reaction. Quantitative measurements performed in the band envelope at ∼915 cm−1 allowed to determine the stoichiometry of the Lewis acid–base adduct. The experimental evidence of the 2:1 FA–THF adduct is presented for the first time using Raman spectroscopy and our results show an excellent agreement with similar systems. The present work also shows hydrogen interactions which can be involved in systems containing peptide groups and constituents of nucleic acids. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crystal and molecular structure of 2‐aminopyridinium‐ 4‐hydroxybenzenosulfonate—IR and Raman spectra, DFT calculations and physicochemical properties
Authors: Lorenc J. , Bryndal I. , Marchewka M. , Sasiadek W. , Lis T. , Hanuza J. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractA new organic–organic salt, 2‐aminopyridinium‐4‐hydroxybenzenosulfonate, has been synthesised and characterised by means of FT‐IR and FT‐Raman spectroscopies, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and single crystal X‐ray crystallography. Its vibrational spectra have been discussed on the basis of quantum chemical density functional theory (DFT) calculations using the B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) approach. The role of the intermolecular interactions in this crystal is analysed. The NHċċċO interactions between the hydrogen atoms of the pyridinium cation and oxygen atoms of hydroxybenzenosulfonate anion built the supramolecular arrangement in three‐dimensional space. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Liquid Crystalline Elastomer with a p‐Pentaphenyl Transverse Rod Laterally Attached to the Main Chain
Authors: Ren Wanting , McMullan Philip J. , Guo Huina , Kumar Satish , Griffin Anselm C. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractAn LCE with a p‐pentaphenyl transverse rod in the main chain was synthesized, in which the rod can be oriented parallel or normal to the main chain under uniaxial tension. DSC and WAXD studies indicate a highly ordered lamellar structure typical of a smectic A phase. Stress‐strain curves showed a large Young modulus at small strains, followed by a yield point, at which necking occurred and the specimen became transparent. An interesting rigid‐soft‐rigid phenomenon was observed in the yield section, which is likely to indicate a self‐assembly‐driven reconstruction process. Two possible arrangements of transverse rods and chain extenders are proposed for the network structure.magnified image
Validity, reliability, and applicability of psychophysiological techniques in marketing research
Authors: Wang Yong Jian , Minor Michael S. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractA variety of psychophysiological techniques have been used in the measurement of consumer reactions to marketing stimuli since the 60s. The objectives of this paper are: (1) to present a descriptive review of the psychophysiological techniques and (2) to discuss critical concerns about validity, reliability, and applicability of these psychophysiological techniques raised by previous research. The strengths and weaknesses of ten major psychophysiological techniques are analyzed on the basis of the summaries of 67 marketing studies that have employed psychophysiological techniques. This study shows a need for marketing research to establish validity and reliability and to emphasize applicability when psychophysiological techniques are to be used. Meeting such a need requires an understanding of the nuanced psychophysiological process that links particular psychological antecedents and the physiological consequences being measured. A framework for analyzing this psychophysiological process in marketing research is provided. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Existence of global attractors for the three‐dimensional Brinkman–Forchheimer equation
Authors: Wang Bixiang , Lin Siyu 
Published: January 2008

AbstractIn this paper, we investigate the asymptotic behavior of solutions of the three‐dimensional Brinkman–Forchheimer equation. We first prove the existence and uniqueness of solutions of the equation in L2, and then show that the equation has a global attractor in H2 when the external forcing term belongs to L2. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A simplex algorithm for minimum‐cost network‐flow problems in infinite networks
Authors: Sharkey Thomas C. , Romeijn H.Edwin 
Published: January 2008

AbstractWe study minimum‐cost network‐flow problems in networks with a countably infinite number of nodes and arcs and integral flow data. This problem class contains many nonstationary planning problems over time where no natural finite planning horizon exists. We use an intuitive natural dual problem and show that weak and strong duality hold. Using recent results regarding the structure of basic solutions to infinite‐dimensional network‐flow problems we extend the well‐known finite‐dimensional network simplex method to the infinite‐dimensional case. In addition, we study a class of infinite network‐flow problems whose flow balance constraints are inequalities and show that the simplex method can be implemented in such a way that each pivot takes only a finite amount of time. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2008
The number of spanning trees in a class of double fixed‐step loop networks
Authors: Yong Xuerong , Zhang Yuanping , Golin Mordecai J. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractIn this article, we develop a method to count the number of spanning trees in certain classes of double fixed‐step loop networks with nonconstant steps. More specifically our technique finds the number of spanning trees in$ \overrightarrow{C} _{n}^{p,q} $, the double fixed‐step loop network withnvertices and jumps of sizepandq, whenn=d1m, andq=d2m+pwhered1,d2, andpare arbitrary parameters andmis a variable. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2008
Minimum work paths in elevated networks
Authors: Shirabe Takeshi 
Published: January 2008

AbstractA new variant of the shortest path problem involves a bicycle traveling from an origin to a destination through a network situated on a hilly geography. Determining a path that takes the least amount of pedaling work involves a conservative force, gravity, and a nonconservative force, friction, acting on the bicycle. The cyclist's pedaling work to overcome the friction of each arc varies with the bicycle's kinetic and gravitational potential energies, which transform to one another. Although geometric characteristics of the network are invariable, arc weights representing required pedaling work are variable. This problem is formulated as a quadratic integer program and an approximation procedure is presented. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2008
On the hardness of range assignment problems
Authors: Fuchs Bernhard 
Published: January 2008

AbstractWe investigate the computational hardness of the connectivity, the strong connectivity, and the broadcast type of range assignment problems in ℝ2 and ℝ3. We present new reductions for the connectivity problem, which are easily adapted to suit the other two problems. All reductions are considerably simpler than the technically quite involved ones used in earlier works on these problems. Using our constructions, we can for the first time prove NP‐hardness of these problems for all real distance‐power gradients α > 0 (resp. α > 1 for broadcast) in 2D, and prove APX‐hardness of all three problems in 3D for all α > 1. Our reductions yield improved lower bounds on the approximation ratios for all problems where APX‐hardness was known before already. In particular, we derive the overall first APX‐hardness proof for broadcast. This was an open problem posed in earlier work in this area, as was the question whether (strong) connectivity remains NP‐hard for α = 1. In addition, we give the first hardness results for so‐called well‐spread instances. On the positive side, we prove that two natural greedy algorithms are 2‐approximations for (strong) connectivity, and show that the factor 2 is tight in ℝ2 for α > 1. We also analyze the performance guarantee of the well‐known MST‐heuristic as a function of the input size. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2008