bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased H‐reflex excitability is not accompanied by changes in neural drive following 24 days of unilateral lower limb suspension
Authors: Seynnes Olivier R. , Maffiuletti Nicola A. , Horstman Astrid M. , Narici Marco V. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine whether the gain in soleus H‐reflex excitability induced by unilateral lower limb suspension (ULLS) is associated with changes in neural drive to the plantar flexor muscles. Six male subjects (23 ± 2 years, 187 ± 7 cm, 79 ± 9 kg) underwent 24 days of ULLS of the dominant limb. Plantar flexor maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque, activation capacity (twitch interpolation), soleus maximal electromyographic (EMG) activity, Hoffman (H)‐reflex, and the first volitional (V) wave normalized to the compound muscle action potential (M‐wave) were quantified before and after ULLS. Following ULLS, MVC torque decreased by 15% (P < 0.05). However, neither activation capacity nor EMG activity was significantly altered after the suspension. The V‐wave remained unchanged consistently after ULLS, whereas the H‐reflex increased significantly (+20%). Furthermore, there was no significant relationship between changes in H‐reflex and V‐wave over the ULLS period. These findings indicate that 24 days of ULLS can result in a substantial reduction of muscle strength without any apparent change in voluntary activation capacity. H‐reflex and V‐wave findings suggest that the spinal adaptations that underlie the unloading‐induced increase in resting soleus H‐reflex excitability did not significantly affect the efferent motor output to the plantar flexor muscles. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Arabic validation of the short form of Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI‐6) questionnaire
Authors: Altaweel Waleed , Seyam Raouf , Mokhtar Alaa , Kumar Pranesh , Hanash Kamal 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAimsTo translate and validate the Arabic version of the short form of Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI‐6) questionnaire in a sample of women with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).MethodsTwo native Saudis independently translated the original UDI‐6 into Arabic. These two translations were harmonized, and then checked by independent back translation by two English teachers. They collaborated with the clinical investigators to reach a consensus version of the questionnaire. The harmonized version was pre‐tested in a pilot study on 20 patients. The final version of the UDI‐6 was applied to 68 consecutive patients aged 22 years or over complaining of LUTS for at least 3 months at our tertiary care hospital. The patients were rerated after 1 week to assess test–retest reliability. To assess the capacity of the questionnaire to discriminate between women with and without LUTS, cases, and controls of healthy women sample were involved and assessed. The psychometric properties of the questionnaire, such as reliability and validity were assessed.ResultsThe correlation co‐efficient between ratings was >0.75 and the discriminate power between cases and control were confirmed. The UDI showed good internal consistency total score cronbach α = 0.71.ConclusionsThe Arabic version of UDI‐6 is a valid and robust instrument and a reliable method to use in daily practice and clinical research. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:330–334, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On the complexity of distributed graph coloring with local minimality constraints
Authors: Gavoille Cyril , Klasing Ralf , Kosowski Adrian , Kuszner Łukasz , Navarra Alfredo 
Published: February 2009

AbstractDistributed greedy coloring is an interesting and intuitive variation of the standard coloring problem. Given an order among the colors, a coloring is said to be greedy if there does not exist a vertex for which its associated color can be replaced by a color of lower position in the fixed order without violating the property that neighboring vertices must receive different colors. We consider the problems of Greedy Coloring and Largest First Coloring (a variant of greedy coloring with strengthened constraints) in the Linial model of distributed computation, providing lower and upper bounds and a comparison to the (Δ + 1)‐Coloring and Maximal Independent Set problems, with Δ being the maximum vertex degree in G. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2009
2007 Standards, Options, and Recommendations: Use of erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents (ESA: epoetin alfa, epoetin beta, and darbepoetin) for the management of anemia in children with cancer
Authors: Marec‐Berard Perrine , Chastagner Pascal , Kassab‐Chahmi Diana , Casadevall Nicole , Marchal Christian , Misset Jean‐Louis , Ray‐Coquard Isabelle 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe Standards, Options, and Recommendations (SOR) project undertaken by the French National Federation of Cancer Centers (FNCLCC) to develop and disseminate clinical practice guidelines in oncology has now been taken over by the French National Cancer Institute. In 2007, the SOR updated the information related to the use of erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents (ESA) in anemic children with cancer. Updates were based on a review of the most reliable scientific data available, followed by critical appraisal by a multidisciplinary group of experts and validation by independent experts. The literature review identified four randomized trials likely to provide reliable new information on the use of ESA in children. This review confirmed four points: treatment increases hemoglobin levels and decreases the need for blood transfusions; no quality‐of‐life and no survival benefit has been demonstrated; treatment does not seem associated with significantly more side effects; impact on thromboembolic events and patient quality of life remains unclear. The main result of the study was the elaboration of a new standard of care unavailable at the time of the 2003 version. Systematic administration of ESA is not recommended for the prevention or treatment of anemia in pediatric cancer patients. However, treatment decision must be made on a case‐by‐case basis and, when treatment is considered, the intravenous route must be preferred. The full French document is available at www.sor‐cancer.fr. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;53:7–12. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A case–control study of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and polymorphisms in the TGF‐β and receptor genes
Authors: Dai Liping , Gast Andreas , Horska Alexandra , Schrappe Martin , Bartram Claus R. , Hemminki Kari , Kumar Rajiv , Bermejo Justo Lorenzo 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackgroundInherited genetic variants in critical genes can putatively modulate susceptibility to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).MethodsWe used allelic discrimination method to genotype 19 polymorphisms in the transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), transforming growth factor‐β receptor 1 (TGF‐βR1) and transforming growth factor‐β receptor 2 (TGF‐βR2) genes in 460 cases of childhood acute ALL and 552 ethnically matched controls. The genotyped polymorphisms included functional and tagging variants to cover the three genes in entirety. We used multidimensionality reduction (MDR) method to test effect of multiple genes on disease susceptibility. In order to increase statistical power and detect susceptibility variants not directly genotyped in this study, we used imputation using HapMap data.ResultsNone of the genotyped polymorphisms or the consequent haplotypes showed any association with risk modulation. The results, however, did show a marginal association (odds ratio OR 0.76, 95% confidence interval CI 0.59–0.97) of the variant allele for the rs10417924 polymorphism located at 3′untranslated region of the TGF‐β1 gene with the B‐cell lineage ALL. No other polymorphism showed any association with childhood ALL susceptibility. A signal of marginal significance for the rs10417924 polymorphism in the TGF‐β1 gene in B‐cell lineage ALL showed up with both MDR and imputation techniques.ConclusionThese data rule out the role of polymorphisms in the TGF‐β1, TGF‐βR1 and TGF‐βR2 genes in susceptibility to childhood ALL. However, for B‐lineage ALL, the role of the rs10417924 polymorphism in TGF‐β1 gene needs further investigation. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:819–823. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Outcome of recurrent or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia in infants with MLL gene rearrangements: A report from the Japan infant leukemia study group
Authors: Tomizawa Daisuke , Koh Katsuyoshi , Hirayama Masahiro , Miyamura Takako , Hatanaka Michiki , Saikawa Yutaka , Ishii Eiichi 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackgroundDespite the poor outcome of recurrent or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in infants with MLL gene rearrangement, few studies have focused on this specific group. We conducted a retrospective analysis of infants with recurrent or refractory ALL from two previous consecutive Japanese studies to clarify the characteristics and prognostic factors among these patientsProcedureAll recurrent or refractory ALL infants with MLL gene rearrangement (MLL‐R) who were registered in two consecutive Japanese nation‐wide multicentric trials (MLL96 and MLL98; between 1995 and 2001) were eligible for the study.ResultsAmong 80 MLL‐R ALL infants, 34 cases of recurrence and 5 induction failures occurred. The median duration of first remission was 5 months (range, 0–28 months). All patients underwent various salvage chemotherapies; remission was achieved in 40.5% (15/37). A total of 23 patients received subsequent hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCT): 9 in remission, 12 without remission, and 2 with unknown status. With median follow‐up period of 5.5 years, the 5‐year overall survival (OS) rate after the second‐line treatment was 25.6% ± 6.9%. Young age (<3 months) and central nervous system involvement at initial diagnosis were associated with poor outcome; however, failure to achieve remission after salvage therapy was the sole independent poor prognostic factor in multivariate analysis (P = 0.01).ConclusionsThe prognosis of infants with recurrent or refractory MLL‐R ALL is extremely poor despite alternative treatments including HSCT; therefore, it is necessary to develop novel treatment strategies. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:808–813. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mechanical and thermal properties of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes/cyanate ester composite
Authors: Wang Jinhe , Liang Guozheng , Yan Hongxia , He Shaobo 
Published: February 2009

AbstractMultiwalled carbon nanotubes/cyanate ester composite using epoxy group as a bridge was prepared. After a two‐step functionalization, the epoxy groups were introduced on the surface of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) successfully, which was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectra. The mechanical and thermal properties of the cured cyanate ester resin and MWNTs/cyanate ester composites were examined by mechanical tests, scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. The results showed that 2 wt% functionalized MWNTs can enhance the flexural strength and impact strength significantly and increase the glass transition temperature (Tg) slightly. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Mechanical properties of carbon black‐filled polypropylene/polystyrene blends containing styrene‐butadiene‐styrene copolymer
Authors: Al‐Saleh Mohammed H. , Sundararaj Uttandaraman 
Published: February 2009

AbstractMechanical properties and morphology of carbon black (CB)‐filled polypropylene/polystyrene (PP/PS) blends with and without styrene‐butadiene‐styrene (SBS) tri‐block copolymer were studied as a function of PP/PS volume ratio and CB content. Blends were prepared by melt mixing in a batch mixer followed by compression molding. Incompatibility of the PP/PS blends was found to negatively influence the blends' tensile properties. Addition of 5 vol% SBS to the CB‐filled PP/PS blends was found to compatibilize the blends by reducing the interfacial tension and enhancing the interfacial adhesion. In general, SBS addition enhanced the yield stress of the co‐continuous CB‐filled PP/PS blends, reduced the Young's modulus and enhanced the elongation at yield for all blends studied. For the (70/30) PP/PS blends with and without SBS, yield stress of the blends filled with up to 3 vol% CB is close to that of the unfilled (70/30) PP/PS blends. Increasing CB loading to 5 vol% considerably increased the yield stress for the blends with and without SBS. A gradual increase in Young's modulus was reported with increasing CB content in the (70/30) PP/PS blends with and without SBS. Increasing CB loading up to 5 vol% did not influence the elongation at yield of the (70/30) PP/PS blend without SBS. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
High‐strength composites based on tung oil polyurethane and wood flour: Effect of the filler concentration on the mechanical properties
Authors: Casado U. , Marcovich N.E. , Aranguren M.I. , Mosiewicki M.A. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractNew composite materials with a high percentage of their composition based on renewable resources, matrix and reinforcement, were prepared. The excellent compatibility of the main phases lead to an unusual outstanding composite behavior as follows: higher modulus and strength, but also higher deformability and fracture resistance than the neat polymer. A bio‐based polyol was obtained by chemical modification of tung oil to be used in the production of polyurethane composites reinforced with pine wood flour (WF). The mechanical behavior as a function of wood flour content was evaluated through tensile and impact tests. Increasing the filler content induced an increase in tensile modulus and strength as well as in impact strength. Composites containing 10 and 15 wt% of wood flour presented higher tensile ultimate strain than that of the unfilled polyurethane. These results were explained by a strong interfacial adhesion (physical and chemical bonding), which was also supported by SEM micrography and strength modeling. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Interpeptide interactions induce helix to strand structural transition in Aβ peptides
Authors: Takeda Takako , Klimov Dmitri K. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractReplica exchange molecular dynamics and all‐atom implicit solvent model are used to compute the structural propensities in Aβ monomers, dimers, and Aβ peptides bound to the edge of amyloid fibril. These systems represent, on an approximate level, different stages in Aβ aggregation. Aβ monomers are shown to form helical structure in the N‐terminal (residues 13 to 21). Interpeptide interactions in Aβ dimers and, especially, in the peptides bound to the fibril induce a dramatic shift in the secondary structure, from helical states toward β‐strand conformations. The sequence region 10–23 in Aβ peptide is found to form most of interpeptide interactions upon aggregation. Simulation results are tested by comparing the chemical shifts in Aβ monomers computed from simulations and obtained experimentally. Possible implications of our simulations for designing aggregation‐resistant variants of Aβ are discussed. Proteins 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Annual intensification of the Somali jet in a quasi‐equilibrium framework: Observational composites
Authors: Boos William R. , Emanuel Kerry A. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe annual intensification of the Somali jet, which accompanies the onset of the Indian summer monsoon, is rapid compared to the evolution of the seasonal insolation forcing. Using observationally‐based data sets, the dynamic and thermodynamic changes accompanying the onset of this jet are presented. The abrupt component of jet onset is shown to occur over ocean about 1000km east of the East African highlands, and is accompanied by increases in both deep convection and baroclinic flow over the off‐equatorial Arabian Sea. These abrupt changes are well separated from the core of the cross‐equatorial jet, which is located over land adjacent to the East African highlands.The onset of the Somali jet and the associated monsoon are then examined in a convective quasi‐equilibrium framework. Such a framework is consistent with the mean summer state, in that peak free‐tropospheric temperatures are nearly collocated with peak subcloud layer entropies over the northern Bay of Bengal and adjacent coastal regions. Jet onset is accompanied by a large ($\hbox{O}\{100\ \hbox{W m}^{-2}\}$) increase in surface enthalpy flux over the Arabian Sea that is nearly collocated with, and linearly related to, the concurrent increase in deep tropospheric ascent. At the same time, the highest subcloud entropies shift inland slightly from the Bay of Bengal, and the region of warmest free‐tropospheric temperatures expands poleward. The consistency of all of these changes with a wind—evaporation feedback and several other hypothesized mechanisms of abrupt monsoon onset is discussed. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Molecular structure and vibrational assignment of α‐chloro acetylacetone: A density functional theory study
Authors: Jalbout A. F. , Ali Naseri M. , Fazli M. , Raissi H. , Rezaei M. , Nowroozi A. , de Leon A. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe intramolecular hydrogen bond, molecular structure, and vibrational frequencies of α‐chloro acetylacetone have been investigated. Fourier transform infrared and Fourier transform Raman spectra of this compound and its deuterated analogue were recorded in the regions 400–4,000 cm−1and 50–4,000 cm−1, respectively. Rigorous normal coordinate analysis has been performed at the B3LYP/6‐311++G** level of theory for purposes of comparison. The complete vibrational assignment for TFAA has been made on the basis of the calculated potential energy distribution. We also applied the atoms in molecules theory and natural bond orbital method for the analysis of the hydrogen bond in α‐Chloro acetylacetone and acetylacetone. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
Relation between resistance characteristics due to aquatic weed growth and the hydraulic capacity of the river Aa
Authors: De Doncker L. , Troch P. , Verhoeven R. , Bal K. , Desmet N. , Meire P. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractVegetation growth drastically influences water levels and flow patterns in lowland rivers. As soon as plants start to grow in spring, the flow resistance increases to reach a maximum in early summer.The universities of Ghent and Antwerp are conducting scientific research in the river Aa in Belgium in order to better understand the relation between aquatic weed growth and the hydraulic capacity of the river and to come to a more accurate determination of the different influencing parameters.Velocity measurements are performed in multiple cross‐sections on a regular basis and studied. Discharge calculations are based on velocity measurements, which deliver important information about structural characteristics of the river, presence of vegetation, etc. Removing the vegetation allows for determining species and vegetation density as well as for studying the influence of plants on flow distribution and patterns. It is shown that the resistance coefficient, influenced by the amount of biomass, is an important parameter for the hydraulic characteristics of the river. The presence of macrophytes and their blockage characteristics are studied and a relation between discharge, biomass and resistance coefficient is set up.This leads to more reliable results in the application of hydraulic models for river management and river restoration purposes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Passage and reproductive activity of fishes in the Igarapava fish ladder, Grande River, Southeastern Brazil
Authors: Casali Rubens C.V. , Vono Volney , Godinho Hugo P. , Luz Ronald K. , Bazzoli Nilo 
Published: February 2009

AbstractWe sampled fishes within the vertical‐slot Igarapava fish ladder (IFL), Grande River, southeastern Brazil, and immediately downstream IFL in 12 field trips from February 2000 to December 2002. A total of 1145 fishes belonging to 13 families and 39 species were captured. The most abundant species captured within the IFL, in order of abundance were: Pimelodus maculatus, Metynnis maculatus, Astyanax altiparanae, Hypostomus spp., Leporinus octofasciatus, Salminus hilarii, Leporinus elongatus, Leporinus friderici, Schizodon nasutus and Prochilodus lineatus. Size distribution of the most abundant fishes captured downstream or within the IFL was similar indicating no constraints to adult fish to ascend the IFL. Except P. maculatus, the number of migratory species captured in the IFL and downstream the IFL were very low. Some of the so‐called sedentary species were collected in the IFL indicating that they possess an innate behaviour to migrate. Juveniles of P. lineatus and P. maculatus were captured ascending the IFL implying a dispersal behaviour. Gonadal analyses of the fishes captured in the reproductive season showed that the overall number of reproductive active fishes (which included fish in maturation, mature and spawned/spent) surpassed those non‐active. Thus, the IFL offers upstream passage for juveniles, some of the so‐called sedentary species, as well as fishes in reproductive migration. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Aqueous Enzymatic Processes on Sunflower Oil Quality
Authors: Latif Sajid , Anwar Farooq 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe use of enzymes in aqueous vegetable oilseed extraction for simultaneous recovery of high quality oil and protein is gaining recognition. In the present work, five enzyme preparations [Protex 7L by Genencor (Rochester, NY USA), Alcalase 2.4L, and Viscozyme L by Novozymes (Bagsvaerd, Denmark), Natuzyme by Bioproton Pty Ltd (Australia) and Kemzyme by Kemin Europa N·V. (Belgium)] were studied to evaluate their effects on the extraction of oil and protein from sunflower seeds. Preliminary experiments were conducted for the selection of enzymes, optimum enzyme concentration, incubation time and pH. Maximum oil yield (87.25% of the total oil in the seed) was obtained with Viscozyme L, whereas, Protex 7L offered the highest level of protein in the aqueous phase. The comparison of the quality attributes of enzyme‐assisted aqueous extracted (EAAE) oil with those of solvent‐extracted and control (oils extracted without enzyme treatment) oils revealed no significant (P > 0.05) variations for iodine value, density, refractive index, unsaponifiable matter, and fatty acid composition among the extraction methods. The control and EAAE oils also exhibited a better oxidation state. The tocopherol concentration for the oils, produced with the enzymes, was noted to be quite improved relative to the control and solvent‐extracted oils. A higher antioxidant activity in terms of total phenolic contents, 2,2′‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl scavenging capacity and inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation was also observed for the EAAE oils as against control and the solvent‐extracted oils.
Molecular markers indicate that the wheat curl mite, Aceria tosichella Keifer, may represent a species complex in Australia
Authors: Carew M. , Schiffer M. , Umina P. , Weeks A. , Hoffmann A. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe wheat curl mite (WCM), Aceria tosichella Keifer, is an eriophyoid pest of cereals, and the vector responsible for transmitting wheat streak mosaic virus. Several authors have suggested cryptic species of this mite identified through morphological variation, but this has never been conclusively demonstrated. Here, we use the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene and two nuclear markers (internal transcribed spacer 1 and adenine nucleotide translocase) to show that WCM from Australia consists of at least two separate lineages that may represent putative species. In our study, both WCM variants were widespread and the only eriophyoids found on wheat varieties. The WCM variants were also found on alternate host plants, including some plants not known to host WCM. These results have implications for the control of this pest within Australian cereal crops.