bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ovarian and sperm regulatory peptides regulate ovulation in the oyster Crassostrea gigas
Authors: Bernay Benoît , Baudy‐Floc'h Michèle , Zanuttini Bruno , Zatylny Céline , Pouvreau Stéphane , Henry Joël 
Published: February 2006

AbstractFor more than six decades, several studies have shown that genital products to entering the mantle cavity via the incurrent siphon, initiate in oyster, strong and rhythmic contractions of the adductor muscle (AM). In order to characterize the regulatory peptides capable of triggering AM contractions, we focused on the identification of putative myotropic peptides from genital products. Two experimental approaches were developed. The first one, based on a mass spectrometry screening of the male genital products, led to the identification of the tetrapeptide APGWamide. This neuropeptide was also detected in the seminal secretions of the cephalopod Sepia officinalis. In this species, APGWamide is directly involved in the oocyte transport. In Crassostrea, in vitro bioassay demonstrated that APGWamide modulates the AM contractions that insure the release of oocytes in the external medium. Exposure of oysters to a physiological concentration of APGWamide triggered repetitive shell closures. The second experimental approach was based on the monitoring of HPLC purification by a myotropic bioassay using the cuttlefish oviduct contractions as a target. The successive purification steps of the acidic extraction of ovaries from mature female oysters, led to the characterization of the hexapeptide PIESVD. When applied to mature female oysters, this peptide triggered the increase of shell closure frequency. The activity of these two regulatory peptides is the first experimental evidence of a peptidergic control of egg‐laying in oyster. APGWamide and PIESVD could be used, in commercial and experimental hatcheries, for the identification of mature females to be selected for in vitro fertilization. Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessing bladder capacity in children: Is it feasible at all?
Authors: Chrzan Rafał , Czernik Jerzy , Apoznański Wojciech , Bagłaj Maciej , Patkowski Dariusz 
Published: February 2006

AbstractAimThe aim of the study was to assess correlations between body parameters and bladder capacity in healthy schoolboys and schoolgirls. On the basis of those anthropometric data functional bladder capacity (FBC) in children was estimated.Materials and MethodsThe questionnaires were sent to 1,055 parents of children aged from 6 to 14 years. Voided volumes were assessed during uroflowmetry, which was performed under typical conditions in separate rooms (Urodyn 1000, Dantec, Skovlunde, Denmark). Residual volume was measured thereafter. Precise anthropometric parameters were obtained in standing the position. Children with dysfunctional problems, those who voided less than 100 ml and those with residual volumes > 5% of voided volume were excluded. Statistical analysis was done on the basis of the results gathered from 288 children. Pearson's correlation coefficient between body measurements and voided volume was calculated (P < 0.05). Regression modeling was used to propose the best formula for calculating FBC in children.ResultsMean FBC is higher in girls than in boys (P < 0.05). The correlation between FBC and flow parameters was found (0.3 < “r” < 0.5). The value of the coefficient indicates loose relationship. We revealed correlation between weight, height, and length of the trunk, pelvic dimension and FBC. The best mathematical equation to estimate FBC in children based on the body measurements fits to 54% of population (FBC = −268.4 + 7.38 × flow time + 3.15 × suprasteral height + 1.25 × thickness of fat fold. Neurourol. Urodynam. 25:211–214, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development of a validated quality of life tool specific to children with Bladder dysfunction
Authors: Bower W.F. , Wong E.M.C. , Yeung C.K. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractAimsTo date there have not been any generic or continence‐specific measurement tools that allow clinicians to investigate quality of life in children with bladder dysfunction. The aim of this research was to create a cross‐cultural tool to assess and measure the wider psychosocial impact of current and new interventions for bladder dysfunction in children.Materials and MethodsThe study was conducted in three parts: expert consultation with continence clinicians; design and administration of a child‐completed international questionnaire; item analysis, validity and reliability testing, and design of a new tool.ResultsThe need for a pediatric incontinence QoL measure evaluation was strongly endorsed by clinicians. Data from 156 child‐completed questionnaires collected in 10 countries was analyzed for item characteristics and found to be free of item correlation and ceiling and floor effects. Factor analysis revealed 2 factors, which were labeled intrinsic and extrinsic. Rasch analyses showed the internal validity of both subscales was reasonable good. Cronbach's alpha for each factor was 0.91 and 0.72. After analysis, items were selected for the new tool, PinQ, and evaluated for ambiguity, clarity, comprehension level required, choice of words and phrases, and age‐appropriate concepts. Twenty‐one items were finally selected and randomly positioned within the tool.ConclusionsA cross‐cultural tool that quantifies the holistic effect of bladder dysfunction in children has been designed and tested for validity. Neurourol. Urodynam. 25:221–227, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Altered muscle activation patterns in symptomatic women during pelvic floor muscle contraction and Valsalva manouevre
Authors: Thompson Judith A. , O'Sullivan Peter B. , Briffa N. Kathryn , Neumann Patricia 
Published: February 2006

AbstractAimsTo investigate the muscle activation patterns of the abdomino‐pelvic region used by incontinent women during a pelvic floor muscle (PFM) contraction and a Valsalva manouevre compared to healthy, asymptomatic subjects.MethodsThirteen incontinent (symptomatic) women, identified using ultrasound to be consistently depressing the bladder base during PFM contraction, and thirteen continent women (asymptomatic) able to perform an elevating PFM contraction were assessed using surface electromyography (EMG) of the PFM, abdominal and chest wall muscles and vaginal and intra‐abdominal pressure (IAP) measurements during PFM contraction and Valsalva under ultrasound surveillance.ResultsThere were no differences between groups in age, parity or BMI. There was a difference in muscle activation patterns between groups (P = 0.001). During PFM contraction the PFM were less active and the abdominal and chest wall muscles were more active in the symptomatic group. During Valsalva, the PFM and EO were more active in the symptomatic group but there was no difference in the activation of the other muscles between groups. There was a significant interaction (group x pressure) for change in IAP (P = 0.047) but no significant interaction for change in vaginal pressure (VP) (P = 0.324).ConclusionsThe symptomatic women displayed altered muscle activation patterns when compared to the asymptomatic group. The symptomatic women were unable to perform a voluntary PFM contraction using a localized muscle strategy, instead activating all the muscles of the abdomino‐pelvic cavity. The potential for muscle substitution strategies reinforces the need for close attention to specificity when prescribing PFM exercise programs. Neurourol. Urodynam. 25:268–276, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impaired micturition reflex caused by acute selective dorsal or ventral root(s) rhizotomy in anesthetized rats
Authors: Liao Jiuan‐Miaw , Cheng Chen‐Li , Lee Shin‐Da , Chen Gin‐Den , Chen Kuo‐Jung , Yang Chao‐Hsun , Pan Shwu‐Fen , Chen Mei‐Jung , Huang Pei‐Chen , Lin Tzer‐Bin 
Published: February 2006

AbstractPurposeTo clarify the contributions of parasympathetic inputs and outputs to the micturition reflex.Materials and MethodsIntra‐vesical pressure (IVP), external urethral sphincter electromyogram (EMG), pelvic afferent nerve activities (PANA), and pelvic efferent nerve activities (PENA) as well as the time‐derived IVP (dIVP, an index of bladder contractility) were evaluated in intact and acute dorsal or ventral root(s) rhizotomized (DRX and VRX, respectively) rats.ResultsIn DRX rats, when compared with that in intact stage, the voiding frequency was decreased (75 ± 15% of intact,P < 0.05, n = 8), while the threshold pressure to trigger voiding contractions was significantly increased (187 ± 75% of intact,P < 0.05, n = 8). In addition, several insufficient contractions (5.3 ± 3.5 contractions/voiding,P < 0.05, n = 8) occurred in ahead of each voiding contraction. On the other hand, in VRX rats, the peak and rebound IVP were significantly decreased (90 ± 3.5% and 75 ± 11.3% of intact,P < 0.01, n = 8), while the threshold pressure was not affected (102 ± 11% of intact,P = NS, n = 8). The time‐derived parameters were significantly decreased in VRX (peak dIVP, 78 ± 10.2%, rebound dIVP, 75 ± 15.6%, minimal dIVP, 68 ± 14% of intact,P < 0.01, n = 8) but only peak dIVP was decreased (85 ± 11% of intact,P < 0.01, n = 8) in DRX rats.ConclusionAcute selective DRX and VRX rat can be an animal model to investigate peripheral neural control in micturition functions. Neurourol. Urodynam. 25:283–289, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multigrid multidimensional scaling
Authors: Bronstein M. M. , Bronstein A. M. , Kimmel R. , Yavneh I. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractMultidimensional scaling (MDS) is a generic name for a family of algorithms that construct a configuration of points in a target metric space from information about inter‐point distances measured in some other metric space. Large‐scale MDS problems often occur in data analysis, representation and visualization. Solving such problems efficiently is of key importance in many applications.In this paper we present a multigrid framework for MDS problems. We demonstrate the performance of our algorithm on dimensionality reduction and isometric embedding problems, two classical problems requiring efficient large‐scale MDS. Simulation results show that the proposed approach significantly outperforms conventional MDS algorithms. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changes in tow geometry of plain‐weave carbon/epoxy fabrics draped onto compliant hemisphere molds
Authors: Chung Jee Gyu , Chang Seung Hwan 
Published: February 2006

AbstractIn this study, draping of carbon/epoxy fabrics (Plain weave, 3k) onto hemisphere molds is studied to understand the deformation behavior of fabrics during thermoforming. In order to characterize the local deformation of fabrics draped onto hemisphere molds, specimens are selected and prepared for microscopic observation. Several tow parameters such as crimp angle and tow amplitude are investigated to determine the effect of forming conditions and material properties of molds on the microstructures of fabrics during draping and forming. The measured parameters were normalized with respect to an undeformed specimen to facilitate a comparison between specimens. Hemisphere molds made of aluminum and PVC foam are used to observe the effect of mold compliance on microstructural changes during forming. The stress–strain behavior of the foams are measured to correlate the behavior of micro‐tow structures with the foam properties. It is found that some of the tow deformation during shearing is significantly altered when using the compliant foam mold. Polym. Compos. 27:111–118, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Twin‐screw extrusion production and characterization of starch foam products for use in cushioning and insulation applications
Authors: Nabar Yogaraj , Ramani Narayan  , Schindler Melvin 
Published: February 2006

AbstractCylindrical starch foam shapes were produced on a small scale (∼11–12 kg/hr) Werner Pfleiderer ZSK‐30 twin‐screw extrusion (TSE) process using water, which functions as a plasticizer as well as a blowing agent. The properties of the starch foams depend on the type of starch used (hydroxypropylated high amylose corn starch, 70% amylose), the amount of water and additives (poly(hydroxyamino ether)) (PHAE) used, and extrusion conditions such as temperature and the screw configuration. PHAE offers the adhesion and durability of epoxy resins with the flexibility and processibility of thermoplastic resins. PHAE was successful in imparting mechanical strength and toughness, cell integrity, weather and water resistance to the foam structure. The purpose of this work was to study the effects of the extrusion (melt) temperature, amount of water added and the screw configuration on the density of starch foams. The water externally added was varied from 3% to 12%, while the PHAE content was varied from 3% to 15% of the starch used (on a wet basis). The foaming was carried out at melt temperatures in the range from 85 to 145°C. A match of material properties with process engineering conditions was achieved to facilitate the control of expansion to a structure with valuable commercial properties. The effects of processing conditions on the foaming process were studied using a Werner Pfleiderer ZSK‐30 twin screw extruder. The optimum temperature, blowing agent content, and PHAE content were determined. The density of the cylindrical foam extrudates obtained was 22–25 kg/m3. The screw configuration, temperature and pressure profiles, and additives affected the morphology, expansion ratio (ER), resilience, and compressibility of the product. These results were then employed on an industrial scale (410–420 kg/hr) twin‐screw food extruder, a Wenger‐80, to manufacture foam sheets. The density of the foam sheets was 27–30 kg/m3. The cushioning and insulation properties were studied and are reported. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 46:438–451, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers
Replications and analysis of microlens array fabricated by a modified LIGA process
Authors: Kim Dong Sung , Lee Hyun Sup , Lee Bong‐Kee , Yang Sang Sik , Kwon Tai Hun , Lee Seung S. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractMicrolens arrays were fabricated using a modified LIGA process based on the exposure of a PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) sheet to deep X‐rays from the synchrotron of PAL (Pohang Accelerator Laboratory) and a subsequent thermal treatment. A successful physical modeling and analyses for microlens formation were reviewed according to the experimental procedure of the modified LIGA process based on our previous study. A metallic nickel mold insert for the replication of microlens arrays was successfully fabricated by the nickel electroforming process on the PMMA microlens arrays fabricated by the modified LIGA process. For the replication of microlens arrays having various diameters with different foci on the same surface, the hot embossing and the microinjection molding processes have been successfully utilized with the nickel mold insert. The scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope measurements showed that replicated microlenses have good surface quality with the surface roughness of the order of 1 nm. The injection‐molded microlens arrays were also found to have very small birefringence. Finally, the focal lengths of the injection‐molded microlenses were successfully measured experimentally and also estimated theoretically. The replicated microlens arrays with the good surface quality could be applied to various optical applications that require microlens arrays having the different foci on the same surface. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 46:416–425, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers
Fullerene‐functionalized polycarbonate: Synthesis under microwave irradiation and nonlinear optical property
Authors: Wu Huixia , Li Feng , Lin Yanghui , Cai Ruifang , Tong Rui , Qian Shixiong 
Published: February 2006

AbstractFullerenation of polycarbonate (PC), a commercially important optical polymer, was achieved by direct reaction of C60 and PC in the presence of azo‐bis‐isobutyronitrile (AIBN), using 1,1,2,2‐tetrachloroethane as the solvent under microwave irradiation (MI). Compared with conventional heating process, MI could significantly enhance the rate of the fullerenation under identical reaction conditions. The C60 content of the fullerene‐functionalized polycarbonate (C60‐PC) could be controlled via varying the C60/PC feed ratio and the reaction time. The C60‐PCs are soluble in common organic solvents such as THF and chloroform. The products were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, UV–vis, FTIR, TGA, DSC, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR. The reaction of C60 with PC under MI was monitored by electron spin resonance spectra, the fullerene radicals were detected in reaction solutions and also in the solid product polymers, indicating the radical mechanism of the reaction. The nonlinear optical property of C60‐PCs in THF was investigated by the open‐aperture z‐scan technique at 527 nm, and its nonlinear absorption coefficient was found to be in the same order as that of C60. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 46:399–405, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers
Assessing local residence time distributions in screw extruders through a new in‐line measurement instrument
Authors: Zhang Xian‐Ming , Xu Zhong‐Bin , Feng Lian‐Fang , Song Xiao‐Bo , Hu Guo‐Hua 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThis work aimed at developing a new instrument to measure in real time the residence time distribution (RTD) in screw extruders. The instrument followed the same principle as the one reported in the literature but possessed several important advantages. For example, the detection system had two probes that allowed to simultaneously measure RTDs at any two different locations of an extruder, thus providing the possibility of calculating the local RTD between them by a deconvolution method based on a statistical theory for the RTD. Its performance was evaluated on a corotating twin‐screw extruder using anthracene as tracer and polystyrene as flowing material. The effects of various process parameters such as feed rate and screw speed on the RTDs were investigated. The emphasis was placed, however, on the effect of the staggering angle of kneading discs on local RTDs both in the kneading zone itself and its neighboring upstream and downstream screw zones. This work is in support of an ongoing project on the simulation of flow in corotating twin‐screw extruders. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 46:510–519, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Rupture of nanoparticle agglomerates and formulation of Al2O3‐epoxy nanocomposites using ultrasonic cavitation approach: Effects on the structural and mechanical properties
Authors: West Richard D. , Malhotra Vivak M. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractCurrently, intense research is underway to develop polymer nanocomposites because of their numerous potential applications. However, the uniform dispersion of inorganic nanoparticles in polymer nanocomposites without an additional chemical phase has proved to be a difficult challenge. In this paper, we present our results that ultrasonic cavitation could be an effective tool to disrupt agglomerates, thus forming well‐dispersed inorganic phase polymer nanocomposites. This is especially true if polymer degradation could be minimized during ultrasonic processing. Our results suggest that better dispersion of nanoparticles achieved via ultrasonic cavitation not only improved the elastic modulus of the polymer nanocomposites but also enhanced the stress at 5% strain values. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 46:426–430, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Analysis of the dynamic Bacillus subtilis Ser/Thr/Tyr phosphoproteome implicated in a wide variety of cellular processes
Authors: Lévine Alain , Vannier Françoise , Absalon Cédric , Kuhn Lauriane , Jackson Peter , Scrivener Elaine , Labas Valérie , Vinh Joëlle , Courtney Patrick , Garin Jérôme , Séror Simone J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe physiological role of proteins phosphorylated on serine/threonine/tyrosine (Ser/Thr/Tyr) residues or the identity of the corresponding kinases and phosphatases is generally poorly understood in bacteria. As a first step in analysing the importance of such phosphorylation, we sought to establish the nature of the Ser/Thr/Tyr phosphoproteome in Bacillus subtilis, using in vivo labelling with [32P]‐orthophosphate, one‐unit pH 2‐DE, combined with MS. Highly reproducible 2‐D profiles of phosphoproteins were obtained with early stationary‐phase cells. The 2‐D profiles contained at least 80 clearly labelled spots in the pH range 4–7. Forty‐six spots were analysed by MS (confirmed in most cases by LC‐MS/MS), identifying a total of 29 different proteins, with 19 identified for the first time as bacterial phosphoproteins. These phosphoproteins are implicated in a wide variety of cellular processes, including carbon and energy metabolism, transport, stress and development. Significant changes to the profiles were obtained as a result of cold, heat or osmotic shock, demonstrating that, in stationary‐phase cells, the phosphoproteome is dynamic. An initial comparative study indicated that at least 25 [32P]‐labelled spots were also stained by Pro‐Q Diamond, with apparently six additional phosphoproteins uniquely detected by Pro‐Q.
Proteomic analysis reveals the spatial heterogeneity of immobilized Taxus cuspidata cells in support matrices
Authors: Cheng Jing‐Sheng , Yuan Ying‐Jin 
Published: February 2006

AbstractA proteomic approach was used to study the responses of Taxus cuspidata cells to local microenvironments in different zones of immobilized support matrices. Analysis of protein spots by 2‐DE revealed significant differences in the abundance of 31 spots, 28 spots, and 23 spots in outer, middle, and central zone cells between the immobilized and suspended cells. Six of these proteins, identified by MALDI‐TOF‐MS, were involved in the regulation of carbohydrate, nitrogen, and sulfur metabolisms. Immobilization triggered an increase in taxol production of the immobilized cells in the middle and central zones compared to that of the suspended cells. A negative relation between taxol production and the mitotic index was observed in the cells in the immobilization support matrix. Cells in the outer zone had high mitotic index and low taxol production, while cells in the middle and central zones showed low mitotic index and high taxol production. The abundance of S‐adenosylmethionine synthetase, which was identified as one of the differentially expressed proteins, was positively correlated to the cell division activity in the immobilized cell cultures.
Identification of plasma protein biomarkers associated with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Abdul‐Salam Vahitha B. , Paul Gideon A. , Ali J. Omar , Gibbs Simon R. , Rahman Dinah , Taylor Graham W. , Wilkins Martin R. , Edwards Robert J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractWe have employed SELDI‐TOF MS to screen for differentially expressed proteins in plasma samples from 27 patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) and 26 healthy controls. One ion (m/z ∼8600) that was found to be elevated in IPAH was validated by SELDI‐TOF MS analysis of a second and separate set of plasma samples comprising 30 IPAH patients and 19 controls. The m/z 8600 was purified from plasma by sequential ion exchange and reverse‐phase chromatographies and SDS‐PAGE. It was identified, following trypsin digestion, by MS peptide analysis as the complement component, complement 4a (C4a) des Arg. Plasma levels of C4a des Arg measured by ELISA confirmed that the levels were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in IPAH patients (2.12 ± 0.27 μg/mL) compared with normal controls (0.53 ± 0.05 μg/mL). A cut‐off level of 0.6 μg/mL correctly classified 92% of IPAH patients and 80% of controls. Further studies will be needed to determine its performance as a diagnostic biomarker, whether used alone or in combination with other biomarkers. Nevertheless, this study demonstrates that putative biomarkers characteristic of IPAH can be identified using a conjoint SELDI‐TOF MS – proteomics approach.