bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigating quantitation of phosphorylation using MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry
Authors: Parker Laurie , Engel‐Hall Aaron , Drew Kevin , Steinhardt George , Helseth Jr Donald L. , Jabon David , McMurry Timothy , Angulo David S. , Kron Stephen J. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractDespite advances in methods and instrumentation for analysis of phosphopeptides using mass spectrometry, it is still difficult to quantify the extent of phosphorylation of a substrate because of physiochemical differences between unphosphorylated and phosphorylated peptides. Here we report experiments to investigate those differences using MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry for a set of synthetic peptides by creating calibration curves of known input ratios of peptides/phosphopeptides and analyzing their resulting signal intensity ratios. These calibration curves reveal subtleties in sequence‐dependent differences for relative desorption/ionization efficiencies that cannot be seen from single‐point calibrations. We found that the behaviors were reproducible with a variability of 5–10% for observed phosphopeptide signal. Although these data allow us to begin addressing the issues related to modeling these properties and predicting relative signal strengths for other peptide sequences, it is clear that this behavior is highly complex and needs to be further explored. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamics of ultrastructural changes in the isolated crayfish mechanoreceptor neuron under photodynamic impact
Authors: Fedorenko G.M. , Uzdensky A.B. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) is used for treatment of cancer, including brain tumors. To explore the mechanism of photodynamic injury of neurons, we studied the PDT effect of 10−7 M Photosens on ultrastructure of isolated crayfish stretch receptor neuron that was used as a model object. After a 5‐min treatment that only slightly changed neuron activity, the initial injury (alteration of some mitochondria, vacuolization of the cytoplasm) was observed in parallel with compensatory changes (chromatin decondensation, elongation and aggregation of mitochondria, formation of lysosomes and autophagosomes). Longer photosensitization (30 min) abolished firing, destroyed mitochondria and Golgi apparatus, depleted energy sources (glycogen granules), and impaired granular endoplasmic reticulum and polysomes involved in protein synthesis. Therefore, mitochondria and Golgi apparatus were the primary targets for Photosens‐mediated PDT in a single neuron. Their alteration might underlie functional shifts. These structural changes continued to develop after abolishment of neuronal activity and led to necrosis. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of silicon fertilizers on silicon accumulation in wheat
Authors: Mecfel Joanna , Hinke Simone , Goedel Werner Andreas , Marx Günter , Fehlhaber Rüdiger , Bäucker Ernst , Wienhaus Otto 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThe effect of fertilization with silicon (Si) compounds on accumulation of Si in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has been studied. Wheat plants were grown under identical growing conditions, but subjected to fertilization with various Si compounds (pyrolitic fine silica particles [aerosil®], sodium silicate, silica gel), and the Si content of the above ground plants was analyzed via X‐ray microanalysis (EDX) and atomic‐absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Silicon was predominantly deposited in the epidermis cells of the leaves and their cell walls. The efficiency of the Si compounds used as fertilizers to augment the Si content of the plants increased in the order sodium silicate > silica gel > aerosil® and thus seemed to correlate with the ease of formation of orthosilicic acid from these compounds.
Growth of legume and nonlegume catch crops and residual‐N effects in spring barley on coarse sand
Authors: Askegaard Margrethe , Eriksen Jørgen 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThe aim of this experiment was to investigate the growth and residual‐nitrogen (‐N) effects of different catch‐crop species on a low–N fertility coarse sandy soil. Six legumes (white clover [Trifolium repens L.], red clover [Trifolium pratense L.], Persian clover [Trifolium resupinatum L.], black medic [Medicago lupulina L.], kidney vetch [Anthyllis vulneraria L.], and lupin [Lupinus angustifolius L.]), four nonlegumes (ryegrass [Lolium perenne L.], chicory [Cichorium intybus L.], fodder radish [Raphanus sativus L.], and sorrel [Rumex Acetósa L.]), and one mixture (rye/hairy vetch [Secale cereale L./Vicia villosa L.]) were tested in a field experiment with three replicates in a randomized block design. Four reference treatments without catch crops and with N application (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg N ha–1) to a succeeding spring barley were included in the design. Due to their ability to fix N2, the legume catch crops had a significantly larger aboveground dry‐matter production and N content in the autumn than the nonlegumes. The autumn N uptake of the nonlegumes was 10–13 kg N ha–1 in shoots and approx. 9 kg ha–1 in the roots. The shoot N content of white clover, black medic, red clover, Persian clover, and kidney vetch was 55–67 kg ha–1, and the root N content in white clover and kidney vetch was approx. 25 kg ha–1. The legume catch crops, especially white and red clover, seemed to be valuable N sources for grain production on this soil type and their N fertilizer–replacement values in a following unfertilized spring barley corresponded to 120 and 103 kg N ha–1, respectively. The N fertilizer–replacement values exceeded the N content of shoots and roots.
Interactive effects of phosphorus, nitrogen, and thiourea on clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) under rainfed conditions of the Indian arid zone
Authors: Burman Uday , Kumar Garg Balvinder , Kathju Shyam 
Published: December 2007

AbstractA two‐year field study was undertaken with clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. Taub. cv. RGC‐936) under rainfed conditions. The experiments were set up in a split‐split‐plot design with three levels of phosphorus (0, 20, and 40 kg ha–1) and two levels of nitrogen (0 and 20 kg ha–1) with and without thiourea application (seed treatment with 500 mg kg–1 followed by two foliar sprays of 1000 mg kg–1 each at 25 and 40 d after sowing). The years varied in their pattern of precipitation and, consequently, in the available soil moisture at different growth stages. Phosphorous (P) and nitrogen (N) application either alone or in combination with thiourea resulted in significantly higher net photosynthetic rates and concentrations of chlorophyll, starch, soluble protein, and total free amino acids as well as nitrate reductase activity compared to control plants at both vegetative and flowering stages. However, the magnitude of favorable changes varied with soil moisture due to varying rainfall, and the effects of N, P, and thiourea were generally more pronounced in the vegetative stage. Seed yield, dry‐matter production, harvest index, and water‐use efficiency were significantly enhanced by the above mentioned treatments. The favorable effects of the treatments were realized through significant improvements of metabolic efficiency and maintenance of higher photosynthesis and nitrate reductase activity for more efficient N utilization. It is concluded that the improvement of P and N status of arid‐zone soils coupled with thiourea application can significantly improve the yield of clusterbean under rainfed conditions, though the potential gains may vary with soil‐moisture availability.
Optimizing the balance between impact strength and stiffness in polypropylene/elastomer blends by incorporation of a nucleating agent
Authors: Fanegas N. , Gómez M.A. , Jiménez I. , Marco C. , Garcia‐Martínez J.M. , Ellis G. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractIsotactic polypropylene (iPP) blends were prepared with two different thermoplastic elastomers, a triblock copolymer styrene–ethylene butylene–styrene (SEBS) and a metallocenic ethylene‐octene copolymer (EO). The mechanical properties and morphology of blends with 0–50 wt% elastomer were studied to determine the influence of the presence of the elastomer on the improvement of toughness. The addition of a nucleating agent as a third component exerted a significant effect on the overall properties. Dynamic mechanical properties, flexural modulus, and impact strength as well as morphology were studied for nucleated and nonnucleated iPP/SEBS and iPP/EO blends. The improvement of impact properties found in binary blends was accompanied by a decrease in stiffness. However, the addition of the nucleating agent provided a good balance between impact strength and stiffness. From the results, SEBS was determined to be a better impact modifier for iPP than EO. The nucleated iPP/SEBS blends demonstrated improved mechanical properties compared with both the nucleated iPP/EO blends and the nonnucleated blends. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 48:80–87, 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Evaluation of mechanical properties of epoxy–guar gum composites
Authors: Shenoy M.A. , D'Melo D.J. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractGuar gum (GG) and hydroxypropyl guar gum (HPG) are widely used in a variety of applications ranging from foods, pharmaceutics to mining and explosives. However, there have been very few studies conducted investigating the use of these materials as fillers in polymer composites. GG and HPG were incorporated in an epoxy matrix and the mechanical properties of the resultant composites were determined. The tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact strength of the composites indicate that they provide reinforcement to the composites upto 5–7.5 phr after which there is a rapid decrease in the respective properties. HPG with higher propoxy content was found to provide greater reinforcement due to its increased hydrophobic nature leading to greater polymer–filler interaction. The nature of the filler required that the water absorption and related tests be carried out. The composites showed increased water absorption and also weight loss on exposure to acid and alkali environments, with HPGs showing greater variations when compared with GG, making the composites susceptible to moisture. The study shows that these fillers make an inexpensive, eco‐friendly, and renewable addition to conventional organic and inorganic fillers where the composites do not come into immediate contact with water. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 48:124–132, 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Diffusion dynamics of ionic liquids during the coagulation of solution spinning for acrylic fibers
Authors: Zhang Yumei , Tu Xiaoping , Liu Weiwei , Wang Huaping 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThe coagulation dynamics of acrylic polymer (PAN) with 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride [BMIM]Cl as solvent for PAN and H2O as nonsolvent was investigated in detail. On the basis of Fick's second law of diffusion, a mass‐transfer model of [BMIM]Cl from concentrated PAN/[BMIM]Cl solution was established as verified with the experimental data. The established model has a good fit with the experimental data and the diffusion coefficient D of [BMIM]Cl was calculated according to the model. The diffusion coefficient D decreased a little when the concentration of solution increased. As increasing the coagulation bath concentration, the diffusion coefficient D initially increased and then decreased, reaching a maximum of 5 wt% in the coagulation bath. The diffusion coefficient D decreased with the coagulation bath temperature. From the diffusion coefficient and the structure of the coagulated filament, it can be concluded that the diffusion rate of [BMIM]Cl from PAN concentrate solutions is relatively slow, which is prospective to prepare uniform‐structure fibers. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 48:184–190, 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Uniaxial ratchetting behavior of vulcanized natural rubber
Authors: Yu Weiwei , Chen Xu , Wang Yanping , Yan Lei , Bai Ning 
Published: December 2007

AbstractMost of rubber engineering components endure cyclic loading during their service, and a nonzero mean stress during cyclic loading may cause an accumulation of strain which is known as ratchetting phenomenon. In order to study the ratcheting effect of rubber, a series of uniaxial ratchetting experiments were conducted on vulcanized natural rubber (NR). The effects of cyclic stress amplitude, mean stress and their histories on ratchetting behavior were studied, respectively. The uniaxial ratchetting behavior of natural rubber depends greatly on the stress amplitude and mean stress. The ratchetting strain rate greatly increases with the stress amplitude or mean stress increased. Experimental results reveal that the rubber material exhibits a strong memory of the previous high loading history, and such memory plays a significant role on the subsequent ratchetting. The ratchetting behaviors of the rubber exhibit little sensitive to the applied cyclic stress rate except for the initial strain. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 48:191–197, 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers
Syntheses, characterization, optical properties, and charge‐transfer complexation study of fluorescent poly(aryl‐ether‐urea) dendrimers
Authors: Vanjinathan Mahalingam , Nasar A. Sultan 
Published: December 2007

AbstractAn inexpensive and highly efficient synthesis of first example of fluorescent aromatic dendrimers having alternative ether and urea linkages without the need for protection and deprotection steps has been developed. Dendrons and dendrimers up to third generation, with amine end‐groups, were prepared by convergent growth approach in high yield. A repetitive synthetic sequence of nucleophilic addition reaction between amine and regenerated isocyanate and reduction of nitro groups into amine are adopted for the synthesis of these dendrimers. The peripheries of the dendrimers contained 6, 12, and 24 amino groups, for the first, second, and third generation, respectively. Materials were characterized by FTIR, NMR, and MALDI‐TOF MS spectrometry. These dendrimers were soluble in amide solvents, THF and acetone and displayed fluorescence maxima in the 440–500 nm range with relatively narrow peak widths indicating that they had pure and intense fluorescence. These dendrimers form charge‐transfer (CT) complexes with electron acceptor molecules such as 7,7,8,8,‐tetracyano‐quino‐dimethane and 1,1,2,2 tetracyanoethane as evidenced by UV‐visible absorption spectra. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 713–724, 2008
Nonisothermal crystallization studies on poly(4‐hydroxybutyric acid‐alt‐glycolic acid)
Authors: Martínez‐Palau Meritxell , Franco Lourdes , Puiggalí Jordi 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThe crystallization behavior of a new sequential polyester constituted by glycolic acid and 4‐hydroxybutyric acid has been studied under nonisothermal conditions. Nonisothermal melt crystallization has been followed by means of hot‐stage optical microscopy (HSOM), with experiments performed at different cooling rates. Two crystallization regimes have been found, which is in good agreement with previous isothermal studies and with the different spherulitic morphologies that were observed. The kinetics of both glass and melt crystallizations has also been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and considering the typical Avrami, Ozawa, and Cazé analyses. Only the last gave Avrami exponents, which were in good agreement with those measured under isothermal conditions, suggesting a spherulitic growth with a predetermined nucleation. Isoconversional data of melt and glass nonisothermal crystallizations have been combined to obtain the Hoffman and Lauritzen parameters. Results again indicate the existence of two crystallization regimes with nucleation constants close to those deduced from isothermal DSC experiments. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 121–133, 2008
Resistance factor: a structural engineering approach
Authors: Hart Gary C. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractA procedure is proposed for determining the value of the resistance factor for any selected limit state that is part of a building design. The approach is perhaps not new but a collection of previous disjoint publications that are based on limited mathematics and the value of the Bayesian decision‐making methods. For that reason, it is called the structural engineering approach. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long‐term Results after Dissection of Positive Thoracic Lymph Nodes in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Shimada Hideaki , Okazumi Shin‐ichi , Matsubara Hisahiro , Shiratori Tooru , Akutsu Yasunori , Nabeya Yoshihiro , Tanizawa Tooru , Matsushita Kazuyuki , Hayashi Hideaki , Isono Kaichi , Ochiai Takenori 
Published: December 2007

AbstractBackgroundAlthough thoracic lymph node metastasis in patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has been reported to be a negative risk factor for long‐term survival, only a few studies have evaluated the clinicopathologic difference between the impact of metastasis to the paraesophageal lymph nodes and to the nonparaesophageal lymph nodes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate surgical outcome after the clearance of metastatic thoracic lymph nodes.MethodsRetrospectively reviewed were 164 consecutive patients with thoracic esophageal SCC who had not had preoperative treatment and underwent surgery from 1980 to 2005 and were found to have thoracic lymph node metastases. Of these patients, 83 underwent surgery from 1980 to 1994 and 81 from 1995 to 2005. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of nonparaesophageal lymph node metastasis on survival.ResultsUnivariate analysis revealed that T3/T4 tumors and the presence of nonparaesophageal node metastases were associated with only a 20% overall five‐year survival rate. The overall five‐year survival for the most recent period was significantly better than for the former period (42% vs. 13%, p < 0.01). Based on a multivariate analysis of prognostic impact of each nonparaesophageal node, the presence of metastatic subcarinal and/or posterior mediastinal nodes was an independent risk factor for reduced survival.ConclusionSurgical outcome for patients with thoracic esophageal cancer and metastatic thoracic lymph nodes has improved during the last 25 years. Although postoperative chemotherapy might improve survival, the presence of T3/T4 tumors and/or metastatic nonparaesophageal nodes were unfavorable factors for survival.
CRC Surgery Trends in Kenya, 1993–2005
Authors: Saidi Hassan , Nyaim Elly O. , Githaiga Joseph W. , Karuri David 
Published: December 2007

AbstractBackgroundCRC (CRC) rates are low but increasing in Africa. Data on detection, treatment, and outcome are scarce.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the presentation, treatment, and outcome pattern of CRC and to compare the care processes for two time periods.SettingThe setting was Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), a teaching and referral center.Patients and methodsA total of 259 patients seen over two time periods (1993–1998 and 1999–2005) were analyzed for admission date, sex, subsite involvement, diagnostic process, treatment, follow‐up, and outcome. The distribution of variables between the time periods were analyzed using Student’s t‐test and χ2 as appropriate. Survival trends were generated using Kaplan Meier method; p < 0.05 was statistically significant.ResultsThe average number of CRC diagnoses showed a 2.7‐fold increase during the study periods. The mean age at presentation was 49.7 years. The mean duration of symptoms was 29.6 weeks; and the commonest subsite was the rectum (55.3%). The overall resection rate was 67.7%. For rectal tumors the abdominoperineal rate was 51.4%. Mortality was higher for poorly differentiated cancer, advanced disease, age >50 years, and emergency surgery. There was no change in the age, duration of symptoms, proportion of patients <40 years, or the colon/rectal ratios of the cancer site. The second time period saw more adjuncts for diagnosis, less in‐hospital mortality, and better staging data.ConclusionCRC peaks during the fifth decade of life in Kenyans. The disease is characterized by late presentation, rectal preponderance, and inadequate pathology data. Improved patient follow‐up will unravel the true pattern of disease outcome.
Hereditary Non‐medullary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Kebebew Electron 
Published: December 2007

AbstractAn estimated 5% of all non‐medullary thyroid cancers are hereditary. If three or more first‐degree relatives are affected, there is a greater than 94% chance that these cases are hereditary non‐medullary thyroid cancer (HNMTC). Although, the susceptibility gene(s) for HNMTC has not been identified, there are enough epidemiologic studies and kindreds reported to suggest a hereditary predisposition to thyroid cancer. Until the susceptibility genes are identified, clinicians will have to rely on comprehensive history taking to identify at‐risk families and clinically screen at‐risk family members. When families are at risk for HNMTC, it is unclear whether neck examination and or neck ultrasound is most effective for screening. Hereditary non‐medullary thyroid cancer is associated with more aggressive disease than sporadic HNMTC, especially in index cases, with higher rates of multicentric tumors, lymph node metastasis, and extrathyroidal invasion. Aggressive screening may benefit other members of the affected kindred because the outcome for the non‐index cases is better. Although no studies have demonstrated any difference in mortality in patients with HNMTC versus sporadic disease, disease‐free survival is shorter in HNMTC. Aggressive surgical and postoperative medical therapy is warranted in patients with HNMTC. It is likely that emerging molecular approaches may help identify the gene or genes involved in HNMTC which would have important clinical ramifications.
Elastic stable intramedullary nailing for displaced proximal humeral fractures in older children
Authors: Rajan Rohan Ananda , Hawkins Keith J , Metcalfe James , Konstantoulakis Charompolis , Jones Stanley , Fernandes James 
Published: December 2007

Purpose To demonstrate the effectiveness of intramedullary fixation of severely displaced proximal humeral physeal fractures in skeletally immature children using the elastic stable intramedullary nail (ESIN). Methods Retrospective recruitment of 14 patients aged 10–15-years old with severely displaced proximal humeral physeal fractures between 1999 and 2004 in a single regional specialist paediatric orthopaedic hospital. The fractures were graded using the Neer classification; severe displacement constituted Neer II–IV or displacement >1 cm and angulation >45°. Patients were followed up and assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score (DASH) and the Neer Shoulder score. Radiographs were assessed for deformity. Subjective satisfaction was assessed. Results Fourteen patients with mean follow-up of 30 months (12–66 m) from surgery. All fractures were radiologically united at a median time of eight weeks (7–10 weeks). At follow-up, Neer Shoulder mean score was 96.79 (range 83–100) and DASH mean score 2.26 (0–7.5). Subjectively 71% were very satisfied and 29% were satisfied. Conclusions We commend stabilisation using ESIN in the management of the displaced proximal humeral physeal fracture in older children, once reduction of the fracture has been achieved by either closed or open means. ESIN is safe and allows early return to pre-injury function.