bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
FDI algorithms of abrupt faults in controlled autoregressive processes
Authors: Shaolin Hu , Guoji Sun , Huajiang Ouyang , Rushan Chen 
Published: June 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present research in detecting and identifying abrupt faults in controlled auto‐regressive (CAR) processes.Design/methodology/approachModel‐based approach is adopted in this paper. Two series of fault‐tolerant iterative estimators are set up to estimate online the coefficients in a CAR process. Based on these fault‐tolerant estimators, the detailed detecting and identifying algorithms are obtained for not only the pulse‐type faults but also the step‐type faults in CAR process.FindingsThis paper illustrates the useful information that can be obtained from residuals and that can be used to detect pulse‐type faults as well as step‐type faults. A fault‐tolerant recursive estimator for the coefficients of the CAR process is put forward. Using a simple transformation from step‐ to pulse‐type faults, all kinds of diagnosis methods to detect and identify step‐type faults can be used.Research limitations/implicationsFault‐tolerant estimators and fault detection and identification algorithms are aimed at abrupt faults in CAR processes.Practical implicationsMost of the algorithms given in this paper can be used in many different fields, such as process monitoring, safety control and change detection, etc.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to research of abrupt faults and abrupt changes in a CAR process and emphasizes identification of magnitudes of abrupt faults. The fault‐tolerant estimators are effective not only to detect faults but also to identify safely the coefficients CAR model.
NMR spectroscopy as a tool for the rapid assessment of the conformation of GST‐fusion proteins
Authors: Liew Chu Kong , Gamsjaeger Roland , Mansfield Robyn E. , Mackay Joel P. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractGlutathione‐S‐transferase (GST)‐fusion proteins are used extensively for structural, biochemical, and functional analyses. Although the conformation of the target protein is of critical importance, confirmation of the folded state of the target is often not undertaken or is cumbersome because of the requirement to first remove the GST tag. Here, we demonstrate that it is possible to record conventional 15N‐HSQC NMR spectra of small GST‐fusion proteins and that the observed signals arise almost exclusively from the target protein. This approach constitutes a rapid and straightforward means of assessing the conformation of a GST‐fusion protein without having to cleave the GST and should prove valuable, both to biochemists seeking to check the conformation of their proteins prior to functional studies and to structural biologists screening protein constructs for suitability as targets for structural studies.
Structural basis of the zinc‐ and terbium‐mediated inhibition of ferroxidase activity in Dps ferritin‐like proteins
Authors: Havukainen Heli , Haataja Sauli , Kauko Anni , Pulliainen Arto T. , Salminen Annika , Haikarainen Teemu , Finne Jukka , Papageorgiou Anastassios C. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractStreptococcus suis Dpr is an iron‐binding protein involved in oxidative stress resistance. It belongs to the bacterial Dps protein family whose members form dodecameric assemblies. Previous studies have shown that zinc and terbium inhibit iron incorporation in Listeria innocua Dps protein. In order to gain structural insights into the inhibitory effect of zinc and terbium, the crystal structures of Streptococcus suis Dpr complexes with these ions were determined at 1.8 Å and 2.1 Å, respectively. Both ions were found to bind at the ferroxidase center and in the same location as iron. In addition, a novel zinc‐binding site formed by His40 and His44 was identified. Both His residues were found to be present within all known Streptococcus suis Dpr variants and in Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus gordonii, and Streptococcus sanguinis Dpr proteins. Amino acid sequence alignment of Dpr with other Dps family members revealed that His44 is highly conserved, in contrast to His40. The inhibitory effect of zinc and terbium on iron oxidation in Dpr was studied in vitro, and it was found that both ions at concentrations >0.2 mM almost completely abolish iron binding. These results provide a structural basis for the inhibitory effect of zinc and terbium in the Dps family of proteins, and suggest a potential role of the Dps proteins in zinc detoxification mechanisms involving the second zinc‐binding site.
Characterization of Plasmodium falciparum integral membrane protein Pf25‐IMP and identification of its red blood cell binding sequences inhibiting merozoite invasion in vitro
Authors: Curtidor Hernando , Arévalo Gabriela , Vanegas Magnolia , Vizcaíno Carolina , Patarroyo Manuel A. , Forero Martha , Patarroyo Manuel E. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe identification of proteins present on the surface of Plasmodium falciparum‐infected red blood cells as well as of free merozoites has been widely considered as one of the main areas of research in the development of an antimalarial vaccine due to their involvement in the parasite's pathogenesis and invasion mechanisms. Major advances had been accomplished in this area thanks to the analysis of the reported genomic sequence of P. falciparum, allowing for the identification of genes encoding for putative integral membrane proteins. This study reports for the first time the transcription of the MAL8P1.3 gene, which codifies for a 25‐kDa integral membrane protein of P. falciparum (FCB‐2 strain), namely, Pf25‐IMP. Western blot and immunofluorescence assays using goat polyclonal sera indicate that this protein is expressed in erythrocytic asexual blood stages. A highly robust, sensible, and specific receptor–ligand interaction assay allowed identification of two high activity binding peptides (HABPs) derived from Pf25‐IMP: 30577 (41YKTANENVKLASSLSDRLSR60) and 30583 (161LNKKTVVRKIAEGLGYTIVF180). Both HABPs bound with high affinity to human red blood cells (RBCs), and such binding was susceptible to enzyme treatment with trypsin. A common RBC surface receptor of apparently 48 kDa was found for both HABPs, plus an additional 31‐kDa receptor for HABP 30577. HABP 30577 inhibited merozoite invasion in vitro by 73%, while HABP 30583 showed a 59% inhibition at 200 μM concentration. The data suggest a possible role of Pf25‐IMP in merozoite invasion to RBCs and support its inclusion in further immunological studies for evaluating its potential as vaccine candidates.
Environmental controls over carbon exchange of three forest ecosystems in eastern China
Authors: YU GUI‐RUI , ZHANG LEI‐MING , SUN XIAO‐MIN , FU YU‐LING , WEN XUE‐FA , WANG QIU‐FENG , LI SHENG‐GONG , REN CHUAN‐YOU , SONG XIA , LIU YUN‐FEN , HAN SHI‐JIE , YAN JUN‐HUA 
Published: June 2008

AbstractNet ecosystem productivity (NEP) was continuously measured using the eddy covariance (EC) technique from 2003 to 2005 at three forest sites of ChinaFLUX. The forests include Changbaishan temperate mixed forest (CBS), Qianyanzhou subtropical coniferous plantation (QYZ), and Dinghushan subtropical evergreen broad‐leaved forest (DHS). They span wide ranges of temperature and precipitation and are influenced by the eastern Asian monsoon climate to varying extent. In this study, we estimated ecosystem respiration (RE) and gross ecosystem productivity (GEP). Comparison of ecosystem carbon exchange among the three forests shows that RE was mainly determined by temperature, with the forest at CBS exhibiting the highest temperature sensitivity among the three ecosystems. The RE was highly dependent on GEP across the three forests, and the ratio of RE to GEP decreased along the North–South Transect of Eastern China (NSTEC) (i.e. from the CBS to the DHS), with an average of 0.77 ± 0.06. Daily GEP was mainly influenced by temperature at CBS, whereas photosynthetic photon flux density was the dominant factor affecting the daily GEP at both QYZ and DHS. Temperature mainly determined the pattern of the interannual variations of ecosystem carbon exchange at CBS. However, water availability primarily controlled the interannual variations of ecosystem carbon exchange at QYZ. At DHS, NEP attained the highest values at the beginning of the dry seasons (autumn) rather than the rainy seasons (summer), probably because insufficient radiation and frequent fog during the rainy seasons hindered canopy photosynthesis. All the three forest ecosystems acted as a carbon sink from 2003 to 2005. The annual average values of NEP at CBS, QYZ, and DHS were 259 ± 19, 354 ± 34, and 434 ± 66 g C m−2 yr−1, respectively. The slope of NEP that decreased with increasing latitude along the NSTEC was markedly different from that observed on the forest transect in the European continent. Long‐term flux measurements over more forest ecosystems along the NSTEC will further help verify such a difference between the European forest transect and the NSTEC and provide insights into the responses of ecosystem carbon exchange to climate change in China.
Using temperature‐dependent changes in leaf scaling relationships to quantitatively account for thermal acclimation of respiration in a coupled global climate–vegetation model
Authors: ATKIN OWEN K. , ATKINSON LINDSEY J. , FISHER ROSIE A. , CAMPBELL CATHERINE D. , ZARAGOZA‐CASTELLS JOANA , PITCHFORD JON W. , WOODWARD F. IAN , HURRY VAUGHAN 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe response of plant respiration (R) to temperature is an important component of the biosphere's response to climate change. At present, most global models assume that R increases exponentially with temperature and does not thermally acclimate. Although we now know that acclimation does occur, quantitative incorporation of acclimation into models has been lacking. Using a dataset for 19 species grown at four temperatures (7, 14, 21, and 28 °C), we have assessed whether sustained differences in growth temperature systematically alter the slope and/or intercepts of the generalized log–log plots of leaf R vs. leaf mass per unit leaf area (LMA) and vs. leaf nitrogen (N) concentration. The extent to which variations in growth temperature account for the scatter observed in log–log R–LMA–N scaling relationships was also assessed. We show that thermal history accounts for up to 20% of the scatter in scaling relationships used to predict R, with the impact of thermal history on R–LMA–N generalized scaling relationships being highly predictable. This finding enabled us to quantitatively incorporate acclimation of R into a coupled global climate–vegetation model. We show that accounting for acclimation of R has negligible impact on predicted annual rates of global R, net primary productivity (NPP) or future atmospheric CO2 concentrations. However, our analysis suggests that accounting for acclimation is important when considering carbon fluxes among thermally contrasting biomes (e.g. accounting for acclimation decreases predicted rates of R by up to 20% in high‐temperature biomes). We conclude that acclimation of R needs to be accounted for when predicting potential responses of terrestrial carbon exchange to climatic change at a regional level.
Can long‐distance migratory birds adjust to the advancement of spring by shortening migration distance? The response of the pied flycatcher to latitudinal photoperiodic variation
Authors: COPPACK TIMOTHY , TINDEMANS ILSE , CZISCH MICHAEL , VAN der LINDEN ANNEMIE , BERTHOLD PETER , PULIDO FRANCISCO 
Published: June 2008

AbstractMany organisms use day length as a cue for synchronizing their life cycles with seasonal changes in environmental productivity. Under rapid climate change, however, responses to day length may become maladaptive, and photo‐responsive organisms may only be able to evade increasingly unsuitable habitats if they can accommodate to a wide range of photoperiodic conditions. A previous experiment showed that the pied flycatcher,Ficedula hypoleuca, a Palaearctic‐Afrotropical migratory bird, would strongly advance the timing of spring migration and reproductive maturation if it shifted its wintering area from sub‐Saharan Africa to the Mediterranean region. However, it is unknown whether this marked response to latitudinal variation in photoperiodic conditions is continuous over the entire range of potential wintering areas, and if a shortening of migration distance would be an effective mechanism to adjust the timing of migration to rapidly changing climatic conditions. Here, we experimentally show that a moderate northward displacement of the pied flycatcher's current wintering grounds by 10° would result in a clear advancement of the termination of prenuptial moult and the initiation of spring migratory activity and gonadal growth. However, we found no further advancement under conditions simulating higher wintering latitudes, suggesting the existence of a critical photoperiodic threshold or a steep gradual response within a narrow geographical range between 10° and 20° northern latitude. Because habitat conditions in this area are deteriorating rapidly, the potential for pied flycatchers to adjust their life cycle to changing climatic conditions by shortening the migration distance may be limited in the future.
FADD and the NF‐κB family member Bcl‐3 regulate complementary pathways to control T‐cell survival and proliferation
Authors: Rangelova Svetla , Kirschnek Susanne , Strasser Andreas , Häcker Georg 
Published: June 2008

SummaryFas‐associated protein with death domain/mediator of receptor induced toxicity (FADD/MORT1) was first described as a transducer of death receptor signalling but was later recognized also to be important for proliferation of T cells. B‐cell lymphoma 3 (Bcl‐3) is a relatively little understood member of the nuclear factor (NF)‐κB family of transcription factors. We recently found that Bcl‐3 is up‐regulated in T cells from mice where FADD function is blocked by a dominant negative transgene (FADD‐DN). To understand the importance of this, we generated FADD‐DN/bcl‐3−/− mice. Here, we report that T cells from these mice show massive cell death and severely reduced proliferation in response to T‐cell receptor (TCR) stimulation in vitro. Transgenic co‐expression of Bcl‐2 (FADD‐DN/bcl‐3−/−/vav‐bcl‐2 mice) rescued the survival but not the proliferation of T cells. FADD‐DN/bcl‐3−/− mice had normal thymocyte numbers but reduced numbers of peripheral T cells despite an increase in cycling T cells in vivo. However, activation of the classical NF‐κB and extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) pathways and expression of interleukin (IL)‐2 mRNA upon stimulation were normal in T cells from FADD‐DN/bcl‐3−/− mice. These data suggest that FADD and Bcl‐3 regulate separate pathways that both contribute to survival and proliferation in mouse T cells.
Interleukin‐15 stimulates macrophages to activate CD4+T cells: a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis?
Authors: Rückert René , Brandt Katja , Ernst Martin , Marienfeld Kathleen , Csernok Elena , Metzler Claudia , Budagian Vadim , Bulanova Elena , Paus Ralf , Bulfone‐Paus Silvia 
Published: June 2008

SummaryInterleukin‐15 (IL‐15) is a proinflammatory cytokine that is overexpressed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a disease characterized by activation of monocytes/macrophages (MΦ), and by expansion of autoreactive CD4+T cells. We hypothesized that IL‐15 plays a major role for this expansion of CD4+T cells and modulates the phenotype of monocytes/MΦ and their interaction with CD4+T cells. Here, we show that IL‐15 enhances the proliferation of CD4+T cells from patients with RA in peripheral blood mononuclear cell cocultures. To further dissect the underlying mechanisms, we employed MΦ from IL‐15−/−or IL‐15 transgenic mice. These were induced to differentiate or were stimulated with IL‐15. Here we show that addition of IL‐15 during differentiation of MΦ (into ‘IL‐15MΦ’) and overexpression of IL‐15 by MΦ from IL‐15tgmice leads to increased levels of major histocompatibility complex class II expression. This resulted in enhanced stimulation of antigen‐specific CD4+T cellsin vitroand was accompanied by reduced messenger RNA expression in MΦ for immunosuppressive SOCS3. The proliferation rates of IL‐15MΦ and IL‐15tgMΦ were high, which was reflected by increased p27Kip1and reduced p21Waf1levels. In view of high serum and synovial levels of IL‐15 in patients with RA, our data suggest the possibility that this excess IL‐15 in RA may stimulate monocytes/MΦ to activate the characteristic autoreactive CD4+T cells in RA.
Dynamic expression of protective CEACAM1 on melanoma cells during specific immune attack
Authors: Markel Gal , Seidman Rachel , Cohen Yifat , Besser Michal J. , Sinai Tali Cohen , Treves Avraham J. , Orenstein Arie , Berger Raanan , Schachter Jacob 
Published: June 2008

SummaryAn efficient immune response against tumours depends on a well‐orchestrated function of integrated components, but is finally exerted by effector tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). We have previously reported that homophilic CEACAM1 interactions inhibit the specific killing and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) release activities of natural killer cells and TIL. In this study a model for the investigation of melanoma cells surviving long coincubation with antigen‐specific TIL is reported. It is demonstrated that the surviving melanoma cells increase their surface CEACAM1 expression, which in turn confers enhanced resistance against fresh TIL. Furthermore, it is shown that this is an active process, driven by specific immune recognition and is at least partially mediated by lymphocyte‐derived IFN‐γ. Similar results were observed with antigen‐restricted TIL, either autologous or allogeneic, as well as with natural killer cells. The enhanced CEACAM1 expression depends, however, on the presence of IFN‐γ and sharply drops within 48 hr. This may be a mechanism that allows tumour cells to transiently develop a more resistant phenotype upon recognition by specific lymphocytes. Therefore, this work substantiates the melanoma‐promoting role of CEACAM1 and marks it as an attractive target for novel immunotherapeutic interventions.
Gamma irradiation of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) seeds: effect on colour, cooking quality and pasting characteristics
Authors: Abu Joseph O. , Minnaar Amanda 
Published: June 2008

AbstractCowpea seeds were treated to various gamma irradiation doses, and their colour, cooking quality and pasting properties studied. Irradiation at 50 kGy resulted in significant browning (indicated by decreases in L colour value) of cowpea seeds. At 2 and 10 (but not at 50) kGy, irradiation led to significant reduction in cooking time of cowpea seeds possibly through irradiation‐induced degradation of starch and pectic substances (indicated by decreases in peak and final viscosities) leading possibly to enhanced heat and mass transfer within the seed cotyledon and cell wall, respectively. At 50 kGy, the cooking time of cowpea seeds was prolonged significantly owing possibly to extensive polymer cross‐linking occurring within the seeds at this high dose. Splitting of cowpea cotyledons during cooking decreased significantly at 50 kGy, but was unaffected at 2 and 10 kGy. Irradiation resulted in significant leaching of nutrients from cowpea seeds during cooking in a dose‐dependent manner.
Effects of different maceration enzymes on yield, clarity and anthocyanin and other polyphenol contents in blackberry juice
Authors: Wang Wei‐Dong , Xu Shi‐Ying , Jin Moon‐Kim 
Published: June 2008

SummaryEnzymatic maceration of blackberries was conducted with eight different pectinolytic enzyme preparations. Juice yields were increased greatly when macerated blackberries were treated with enzyme preparations (P < 0.05), but no significant difference in yield was found among different enzymes (P > 0.05). The amounts of anthocyanins and polyphenols in the juices as well as clarity of the juices were greatly varied because of different enzyme treatment. Juice prepared with Klerzyme 150 showed better clarity and greater amount of anthocyanins than the juices prepared with other enzyme preparations (P < 0.05). Studies on the uniform design for Klerzyme 150 enzyme revealed that the optimum conditions were 0.063% (v/w), 44 °C and 110 min for enzyme dosage, reaction temperature and reaction time, respectively.
Effect of different packaging systems on the quality of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum var. Rio Grande) fruits during storage
Authors: Sammi Shehla , Masud Tariq 
Published: June 2008

SummaryA packaging system is designed in our laboratory and evaluated for its suitability to extend storage life and improve the quality of tomato (var. Rio Grande) fruits at ambient temperature (Patent App. No. 484/2005). Freshly harvested mature green tomatoes were packed in polyethylene packaging with or without treating with calcium chloride, boric acid and potassium permanganate. The fruits were then evaluated for changes in quality parameters within the different stages of ripening. The treatments improved the storage life up to 96 days when compared with that of control (32 days). The results showed that within each ripening stage, the treated fruits remained better than that of control and all the ripening stages and treatments are significantly different (P < 0.05) from each other. It can also be deduced that treated fruits showed lower weight loss (%), total soluble solids (TSS) contents, acidity and spoilage incidence while ascorbic acid contents, sugar to acid ratio, flavour, texture, colour and overall acceptability were higher in treated fruits when compared with control at the red stage of ripening. Total sugars (%) were low in fruits treated with calcium chloride and boric acid with or without potassium permanganate.
An investigation of rancidity inhibition during frozen storage of Wels catfish (Silurus glanis) fillets by previous ascorbic and citric acid treatment
Authors: Pourashouri Parastoo , Shabanpour Bahare , Aubourg Santiago P. , Rohi Javad Daghigh , Shabani Ali 
Published: June 2008

SummaryThe effect of preliminary ascorbic and citric acid (AA and CA, respectively) soaking treatments on the rancidity development in Wels catfish (Silurus glanis) fillets during further frozen storage (−18 °C; up to 6 months) was studied. Rancidity development was measured by biochemical quality indices (formation of free fatty acids, peroxides and secondary oxidation products) and compared with sensory analysis (appearance, rancid odour and consistency) and general chemical analyses (pH, expressible moisture and heme iron contents). When compared with control samples, AA‐ and CA‐treated samples showed a lower (P < 0.05) formation of primary and secondary lipid oxidation compounds that was corroborated by a longer (P < 0.05) shelf‐life time as a result of a lower rancid odour formation. According to these results, control samples showed a higher (P < 0.05) heme iron breakdown (months 3–6) and a lower (P < 0.05) water‐holding capacity (higher expressible moisture value) (month 6).