bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation on organic pipeline coating effectiveness via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
Authors: Akbarinezhad E. , Neshati J. , Rezaei F. 
Published: December 2007

High solid thick polyurethane coatings are one of the best choices for pipeline coatings. In this research electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has been used to assess the degradation of a high solid polyurethane pipeline coating. Physical and electrochemical properties of coating were interpreted via analysis of equivalent circuits. The mechanism and kinetic of electrochemical systems were assessed by measuring the variations in resistance, capacitance and percentage of water uptake through coating. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements showed that this coating has very good protection efficiency and after 3 months immersion in 5%NaCl solution, resistant and capacitance of coating reach ∼107 Ω cm2 and 10−12 F cm−2 respectively. Furthermore cathodic disbonding test was carried out in accordance to ASTM G8 for 30 days. After this time duration only 1·53 mm disbonding was observed around the created hole. The coated panels were evaluated in salt fog (ASTM B117) and 100% humidity cabinet (ASTM D2247). After 1000 h exposure in salt fog and 100% relative humidity cabinet no blister, chalking, rust or coating delamination was observed. The results revealed that the coating has very high protection efficiency and could be a very good alternative for conventional coatings in pipeline protection against corrosion.
Killer artificial antigen-presenting cells: a novel strategy to delete specific T cells
Authors: Schütz Christian , Fleck Martin , Mackensen Andreas , Zoso Alessia , Halbritter Dagmar , Schneck Jonathan P. , Oelke Mathias 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Several cell-based immunotherapy strategies have been developed to specifically modulate T cell–mediated immune responses. These methods frequently rely on the utilization of tolerogenic cell–based antigen-presenting cells (APCs). However, APCs are highly sensitive to cytotoxic T-cell responses, thus limiting their therapeutic capacity. Here, we describe a novel bead-based approach to modulate T-cell responses in an antigen-specific fashion. We have generated killer artificial APCs (κaAPCs) by coupling an apoptosis-inducing α-Fas (CD95) IgM mAb together with HLA-A2 Ig molecules onto beads. These κaAPCs deplete targeted antigen-specific T cells in a Fas/Fas ligand (FasL)–dependent fashion. T-cell depletion in cocultures is rapidly initiated (30 minutes), dependent on the amount of κaAPCs and independent of activation-induced cell death (AICD). κaAPCs represent a novel technology that can control T cell–mediated immune responses, and therefore has potential for use in treatment of autoimmune diseases and allograft rejection.
Mast cell-derived tumour necrosis factor is essential for allergic airway disease
Authors: Reuter S. , Heinz A. , Sieren M. , Wiewrodt R. , Gelfand E. W. , Stassen M. , Buhl R. , Taube C. 
Published: December 2007

Mast cells are thought to contribute to allergic airway disease. However, the role of mast cell-produced mediators, such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF), for the development of allergic airway disease is unclear.In order to define the role of mast cells in acute allergic airway disease two strains of mast cell-deficient mice (KitW/Wvand KitW-sh/W-sh) were studied.Compared with their wild-type littermates, KitW/Wvand KitW-sh/W-shmice developed significantly lower airway responsiveness to methacholine and less airway inflammation and goblet cell metaplasia, following sensitisation in the absence of adjuvant and airway challenge. Transfer of bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) from wild-type mice to KitW-sh/W-shmice reconstituted both airway responsiveness and inflammation to levels similar to those in sensitised and challenged wild-type mice. In contrast, sensitised KitW-sh/W-shmice reconstituted with BMMCs from TNF-deficient mice were still severely impaired in their ability to develop airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation or goblet cell metaplasia following allergen challenge.The present results demonstrate the significance of mast cells in the development of airway disease and highlight the importance of mast cell-derived tumour necrosis factor in these responses.
The presence of β2-adrenoceptors sensitizes α2A-adrenoceptors to desensitization after chronic epinephrine treatment
Authors: Bawa-Khalfe Tasneem , Altememi Ghazi F , Mandyam Chitra D , Schwarz Lindsay A , Eikenburg Douglas C , Standifer Kelly M 
Published: December 2007

AbstractBackgroundIn addition to the regulation of blood pressure, α2- and β-adrenoceptor (AR) subtypes play an important role in the modulation of noradrenergic neurotransmission in the human CNS and PNS. Several studies suggest that the α2-AR responsiveness in cells and tissues after chronic epinephrine (EPI) or norepinephrine (NE) exposure may vary, depending on the β-AR activity present there. Recently, we reported that in BE(2)-C human neuroblastoma cells (endogenously expressing α2A- and β2-AR), chronic EPI treatment (300 nM) produced a dramatic β-adrenoceptor-dependent desensitization of the α2A-AR response. The aim of this study is to determine if stable addition of a β2-AR to a second neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y), that normally expresses only α2A-ARs that are not sensitive to 300 nM EPI exposure, would suddenly render α2A-ARs in that cell line sensitive to treatment with the same EPI concentration.MethodsThese studies employed RT-PCR, receptor binding and inhibition of cAMP accumulation to confirm α2-AR subtype expression. Stable clones of SH-SY5Y cells transfected to stably express functional β2-ARs (SHβ2AR4) were selected to compare sensitivity of α2-AR to EPI in the presence or absence of β2-ARs.ResultsA series of molecular, biochemical and pharmacological studies indicated that the difference between the cell lines could not be attributed to α2-AR heterogeneity. We now report that after transfection of functional β2-AR into SH-SY5Y cells (SHβ2AR4), chronic treatment with modest levels of EPI desensitizes the α2A-AR. This effect results from a β2-AR dependent down-regulation of native α2A-ARs by EPI accompanied by enhanced translocation of GRK2 and GRK3 to the membrane (required for GRK-mediated phosphorylation of agonist-occupied receptors).ConclusionThis study further supports the hypothesis that the presence of the β-AR renders the α2A-AR more susceptible to desensitization with physiological levels of EPI.
Preparedness of emergency departments in northwest England for managing chemical incidents: a structured interview survey
Authors: Williams Jane , Walter Darren , Challen Kirsty 
Published: December 2007

Abstract

Background
A number of significant chemical incidents occur in the UK each year and may require Emergency Departments (EDs) to receive and manage contaminated casualties. Previously UK EDs have been found to be under-prepared for this, but since October 2005 acute hospital Trusts have had a statutory responsibility to maintain decontamination capacity. We aimed to evaluate the level of preparedness of Emergency Departments in North West England for managing chemical incidents.

Methods
A face-to-face semi-structured interview was carried out with the Nurse Manager or a nominated deputy in all 18 Emergency Departments in the Region.

Results
16/18 departments had a written chemical incident plan but only 7 had the plan available at interview. All had a designated decontamination area but only 11 felt that they were adequately equipped. 12/18 had a current training programme for chemical incident management and 3 had no staff trained in decontamination. 13/18 could contain contaminated water from casualty decontamination and 6 could provide shelter for casualties before decontamination.

Conclusion
We have identified major inconsistencies in the preparedness of North West Emergency Departments for managing chemical incidents. Nationally recognized standards on incident planning, facilities, equipment and procedures need to be agreed and implemented with adequate resources. Issues of environmental safety and patient dignity and comfort should also be addressed.
Incidence and clinicopathologic features of gastrointestinal stromal tumors. A population-based study
Authors: Mucciarini Claudia , Rossi Giulio , Bertolini Federica , Valli Riccardo , Cirilli Claudia , Rashid Ivan , Marcheselli Luigi , Luppi Gabriele , Federico Massimo 
Published: December 2007

Abstract

Background
Although the diagnostic criteria and pathogenesis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) have recently been elucidated, knowledge of the epidemiology of this malignancy is still limited. This study examined the incidence of GIST in the province of Modena, including pathologic features and clinical outcome.

Methods
Gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors identified by the Modena Cancer Registry between 1991 and 2004 were analyzed with an immunohistochemical panel that included staining for CD-117 and PDGFRα. Size, mitotic rate, and other pathologic parameters were recorded. Each tumor was categorized into National Institutes of Health risk categories (very low, low, intermediate, and high risk).

Results
One hundred twenty-four cases were classified as GIST. The age-adjusted incidence rate was 6.6 per million. Seventy-five percent of patients were symptomatic; 34% had a previous or concomitant history of cancer. High-risk features were present in 47% of cases. Seventy-eight percent were submitted to radical surgery. After complete resection, the 5-year disease-free survival rates were 94%, 92%, 100%, and 40% for patients at very low, low, intermediate, and high risk, respectively. In multivariate analysis, high risk was the main predictor of recurrence.

Conclusion
This population-based study shows that the incidence of GIST in Northern Italy is comparable to that reported in other European countries. Survival was favorable in lower risk categories and in most of the resected cases. In our study, resected patients at very low, low, and intermediate risk had a similar outcome. Our data support the need to consider high-risk patients after complete surgical resection for treatment with the best available approach.
Age-related compaction of lens fibers affects the structure and optical properties of rabbit lenses
Authors: Al-khudari Samer , Donohue Sean T , Al-Ghoul Walid M , Al-Ghoul Kristin J 
Published: December 2007

Abstract

Background
The goal of this investigation was to correlate particular age-related structural changes (compaction) to the amount of scatter in rabbit lenses and to determine if significant fiber compaction occurred in the nuclear and inner cortical regions.

Methods
New Zealand White rabbits at 16–20 months old (adult; n = 10) and at 3.5–4 years old (aged; n = 10) were utilized for this study. Immediately after euthanising, scatter was assessed in fresh lenses by low power helium-neon laser scan analysis. Scatter data was analyzed both for whole lenses and regionally, to facilitate correlation with morphometric data. After functional analysis, lenses were fixed and processed for scanning electron microcopy (SEM; right eyes) and light microscopy (LM; left eyes). Morphometric analysis of SEM images was utilized to evaluate compaction of nuclear fibers. Similarly, measurements from LM images were used to assess compaction of inner cortical fibers.

Results
Scatter was significantly greater in aged lenses as compared to adult lenses in all regions analyzed, however the difference in the mean was slightly more pronounced in the inner cortical region. The anterior and posterior elliptical angles at 1 mm (inner fetal nucleus) were significantly decreased in aged vs. adult lenses (anterior, p = 0.040; posterior, p = 0.036). However, the average elliptical angles at 2.5 mm (outer fetal nucleus) were not significantly different in adult and aged lenses since all lenses examined had comparable angles to inner fetal fibers of aged lenses, i.e. they were all compacted. In cortical fibers, measures of average cross-sectional fiber area were significantly different at diameters of both 6 and 7 mm as a function of age (p = 0.011 and p = 0.005, respectively). Accordingly, the estimated fiber volume was significantly decreased in aged as compared to adult lenses at both 6 mm diameter (p = 0.016) and 7 mm diameter (p = 0.010).

Conclusion
Morphometric data indicates that inner cortical fibers undergo a greater degree of age-related compaction than nuclear fibers. Increased scatter appears to be only tentatively correlated with regions of fiber compaction, suggesting that it is simply one of an array of factors that contribute to the overall decreased transparency in aged rabbit lenses.
Product Positioning and Competition: The Role of Location in the Fast Food Industry
Authors: Thomadsen Raphael 
Published: December 2007

This paper examines optimal product positioning strategies of asymmetric firms in the context of retail outlet locations in the fast food industry. The relationships between profits and product differentiation reveal that both McDonald's and Burger King are better off avoiding close competition if the market area is large enough. However, in small market areas, McDonald's would prefer to be located together with Burger King rather than have the two outlets be only a slight distance apart. In contrast, Burger King's profits always increase with greater differentiation. Offsetting these incentives is the desirability of locating centrally to appeal to the most customers. The equilibrium depends on the market's size. In small markets, McDonald's locates near the center of the market, and Burger King locates to the side of the market. In larger markets, McDonald's and Burger King choose locations on opposite sides of the market, although McDonald's locates closer to the optimal central location than Burger King. I also show that the role of price competition on product positioning is fundamentally different under asymmetric competition than under symmetric competition. Price competition unambiguously induces symmetric firms toward differentiation. In contrast, with asymmetric firms, price competition shifts Burger King's incentives toward locating closer to McDonald's, even while price competition increases McDonald's desire for differentiation. As a result, equilibrium locations with asymmetric firms are approximately the same, regardless of whether prices adjust with location.
Positive Discrimination and the Distribution of Deprivations
Authors: Hatch Stephen , Sherrott Roger 
Published: December 2007

All social welfare systems face a fundamental dilemma in allocating resources. Should the service be universal and go to everyone as with primary education, or should it be selective and go only to those in greatest need as with supplementary benefits? In practice, welfare systems combine both universal and selective elements. Attempts have recently been made to implement another form of resource allocation which might embody the main advantage of selectivity—concentrating resources where they are most needed—without the disadvantage of means-testing and limited take-up. This is the policy of positive discrimination in favour of deprived areas.
An element of positive discrimination has existed for a long time in the rate support grant paid to local authorities, in aspects of regional employment policies, and in slum clearance programmes. However, the Educational Priority Area Programme (EPA) and the subsequent Urban Programme represent new departures, in that the areas (actually schools in the case of EPA) chosen are much smaller than local authorities, and it is assumed that in these areas are concentrated populations who suffer acute and multiple environmental and cultural handicaps.
Non-Partisanship in British Local Politics
Authors: Grant W. P. 
Published: December 2007

There are still a large number of local councils where the majority of the seats are not held by nominees of the political parties. It is important that we should try to understand the operation of the decision-making process in these authorites as well as in those in which the party groups dominate the council chamber. Non-partisan local authorites are generally to be found in the smaller district authorities (smaller in terms of population size, that is) and in the county councils serving predominantly rural areas.
Non-partisan political systems are concentrated in the smaller district authorities and the county councils serving rural areas, partly because, as Jeffrey Stanyer has pointed out, ‘in order to vote on other than party lines, an elector must know something of the personal characteristics of the candidates’ and he is more likely to have this information in a small community; and also because the difficulties of individual electioneering are greater in larger electoral areas. Of course, as the community grows larger, the local newspaper may attempt to provide relevant information. In large cities this is usually confined to brief and rather dry biographical information about the candidate and his civic activities.
Faropenem Medoxomil
Authors: Gettig Jacob P , Crank Christopher W , Philbrick Alexander H 
Published: December 2007

Objective: To review the literature concerning the in vitro activity, pharmacokinetic properties, in vivo efficacy, and adverse events associated with a new penem antibiotic, faropenem medoxomil. Data Sources: We conducted a search of MEDLINE/PubMed and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts databases for articles or abstracts using the terms faropenem. faropenem daloxate, faropenem medoxomil, SUN5555, SY5555, WY49605, RU67655, ALP201. BLA857, and YM044 and published through July 2007. Information on poster presentations was obtained from the drug's manufacturer. Additional articles were identified from citations in the bibliographies of review articles. Articles written in languages other than English were excluded. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All published reports that evaluated faropenem (or its chemical synonyms) and faropenem medoxomil were used in this review. Abstracts subsequently published as full reports were excluded, and only the resulting reports were included. Abstracts without subsequently published reports were included. Data Synthesis: The in vitro activity of faropenem has been evaluated extensively against respiratory pathogens and less extensively against aerobic gram-positive, gram-negative, and anaerobic organisms. Prospective, randomized, multicenter clinical trials have demonstrated noninferiority of faropenem to comparators for the treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis, community-acquired pneumonia, acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, and uncomplicated skin and skin structure Infections. Adverse events associated with faropenem appear to be minimal and include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Conclusions: Faropenem has demonstrated excellent in vitro activity against common respiratory pathogens, many aerobic gram-positive organisms, and anaerobes. Activity against gram-negative organisms is more reserved. In vivo data suggest that faropenem is efficacious in treating community-acquired Infections Including uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections; however, more data may help to characterize faropenem's place in antimicrobial therapy. Replidyne, Inc., the manufacturer of faropenem, is conducting studies to address the Food and Drug Administration's concerns that resulted in a nonapprovable letter in October 2006.
Synthesis and characterization of a functional intact IgG in a prokaryotic cell-free expression system
Authors: Frey Stephan , Haslbeck Martin , Hainzl Otmar , Buchner Johannes 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Antibodies are an important component of the immune system of higher eukaryotes. Furthermore, they are effective tools in basic research, medical diagnostics and therapy. Recombinant expression of these heterotetrameric, disulfide-bridged proteins is usually performed in mammalian cells. Here, we describe the cell-free expression of a mouse monoclonal antibody, MAK33, in a coupled transcription/translation system, based on an Escherichia coli lysate. Both the heavy and the light chain can be produced efficiently in this setup. However, they fail to form functional antibodies. With a view to overcome folding and oxidation defects, we supplemented the system with the oxidoreductases PDI (protein disulfide isomerase) and DsbC and the ER-specific chaperones Grp94 and BiP; furthermore, we optimized the redox conditions. We found that functional antibodies can only be obtained in the presence of an oxidoreductase. In contrast, the addition of Grp94 and/or BiP had no influence on the productive folding reaction. The comparison of the antibody expressed in vitro with MAK33 expressed in cell culture showed that the in vitro expressed antibody is correctly assembled, disulfide-bridged and shows identical antigen affinity. The stability of the in vitro expressed non-glycosylated IgG is comparable to that of the authentic antibody.
Connectivity Prediction in Fractured Reservoirs With Variable Fracture Size: Analysis and Validation
Authors: Masihi M. , King P. R. , Nurafza P. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Uncertainty in geometrical properties of fractures affects all aspects of flow in fractured reservoirs. The connectivity of fractures, embedded in low permeable zones, can control fluid movement and influence field performance. This can be analyzed using percolation theory. This approach is used the hypothesis that the permeability can be split into either permeable or impermeable and assumes that the connectivity of permeability contrasts controls the flow. The analysis of the connectivity based on finite size scaling assumes that fractures all have the same sizes. However, natural fracture networks involve a relatively wide range of fracture lengths, modelled by either scale-limited laws (e.g. log normal) or power laws.
In this paper we extend the applicability of the percolation approach to a system with a distribution of size. For scale-limited distributions, we use the hypothesis that the connectivity of fractures of variable size is identical to the connectivity of fractures of the same size whose length is given by an appropriate effective length. It is also necessary to define the percolation probability based on the excluded area arguments. We test this on fracture networks having a uniform, Gaussian, exponential and lognormal length distribution. In the case of the power law length distribution, however, the scaling parameters (e.g. correlation length exponent) have to be modified. We show how the scaling parameters vary as a function of the power law exponent.
To validate the approach we used outcrop data of mineralized fractures (vein sets) exposed on the southern margin of the Bristol Channel Basin. We show that the predictions from the percolation approach are in good agreement with the results calculated from field data with the advantage that they can be obtained very quickly. As a result they may be used for practical engineering purposes and aid decision-making for real field problem.