bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Levels, Differences and ECMs – Principles for Improved Econometric Forecasting*
Authors: Geoffrey Allen P. , Fildes Robert 
Published: December 2005

AbstractUnit‐root testing can be a preliminary step in model development, an intermediate step, or an end in itself. Some researchers have questioned the value of any unit‐root and cointegration testing, arguing that restrictions based on theory are at least as effective. Such confusion is unsatisfactory. Needed is a set of principles that limit and define the role of the tacit knowledge of the model builders. In a forecasting context, we enumerate the various possible model selection strategies and, based on simulation and empirical evidence, recommend using these tests to improve the specification of an initial general vector autoregression model.
NG2‐expressing cells in the nervous system: role of the proteoglycan in migration and glial–neuron interaction
Authors: Karram Khalad , Chatterjee Nivedita , Trotter Jacqueline 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe NG2 glycoprotein is a type I membrane protein expressed in the developing and adult central nervous system (CNS) by subpopulations of glia including oligodendroglial precursor cells (OPCs), and in the developing CNS additionally by pericytes. In the mouse CNS, expression of NG2 protein is already observed at embryonic day 13 and peaks between postnatal days 8 and 12. NG2+ cells persist in grey and white matter in adult mouse brain: cells in the developing and adult brain show clear differences in migration, cell‐cycle length and lineage restriction. Several groups have provided evidence that subpopulations of NG2+ cells can generate neurons in vivo. Neuronal stimulation in the developing and adult hippocampus leads to Ca2+ signals in apposing NG2+ glia, suggesting that these cells may modulate synaptic activity, and NG2+ cells often ensheath synapses. The structure of the protein with two N‐terminal LamininG/Neurexin/Sex‐hormone‐binding globulin domains suggests a role in adhesion. The C‐terminal PSD‐95/DiscsLarge/Zona Occludens‐1 (PDZ)‐binding motif has been found to associate with several PDZ proteins including the Glutamate Receptor Interacting Protein GRIP: NG2 may thus act to position AMPA receptors on glia towards sites of neuronal glutamate release. Furthermore, the NG2 proteoglycan plays a role in cell migration and spreading and associates with actin‐containing cytoskeletal structures.
Atypical development of Sertoli cells and impairment of spermatogenesis in the hypogonadal (hpg) mouse
Authors: Myers M. , Ebling F. J. P. , Nwagwu M. , Boulton R. , Wadhwa K. , Stewart J. , Kerr J. B. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractTestes of hypogonadal (hpg) mice show arrested postnatal development due to congenital deficiencies of gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrophin synthesis and secretion. Follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), androgen or oestrogen treatment restore qualitatively normal spermatogenesis in hpg testes. Understanding the cellular and molecular changes accompanying hormone‐induced spermatogenesis in hpg mice requires detailed morphological analyses of the germ cells and Sertoli cells in the untreated hpg testis. We compared seminiferous epithelial cytology in adult hpg, immature and adult wild‐type mice using unbiased optical disector‐based stereology, immunolocalization of Sertoli cell microtubules (MT), espin (a component of the blood–testis barrier), markers of Sertoli cell maturity (p27kip1 and WT‐1), and electron microscopy. Hpg testes had marked reductions in weight, seminiferous cord volume and length, and severe spermatogenic impairment with germ cells per testis < 1% of adult wild‐type testes. Sertoli cell nuclei expressed WT‐1 in hpg testes, but often were centrally located, similar to 9–14‐day‐old wild‐type testes, and they expressed p27kip1, indicating that hpg Sertoli cells were post‐mitotic. Hpg testes had significantly (P < 0.05) reduced Sertoli cells per testis (0.56 million) compared with 10‐day wild‐type (1.15 million) and adult wild‐type testes (2.06 million). Immunofluorescence labelling of normal adult Sertoli cells showed supranuclear MT columns and basally located espin, but these features were absent in 10‐day‐old and hpg Sertoli cells. Hpg Sertoli cells showed pleomorphic nuclear ultrastructure with mature‐type nucleoli, similar to normal adult‐type Sertoli cells, but hpg Sertoli cells exhibited incomplete tight junctions that lacked ectoplasmic specializations. We conclude that in hpg mice, chronic gonadotrophin insufficiency restrains Sertoli cell proliferation and maturation, forming pseudo‐adult‐type Sertoli cells that are incapable of supporting germ cell proliferation and maturation.
Changes in adipocytes and dendritic cells in lymph node containing adipose depots during and after many weeks of mild inflammation
Authors: Sadler Dawn , Mattacks Christine A. , Pond Caroline M. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe time course and cellular basis for inflammation‐induced hypertrophy of adipose tissue were investigated over 20 weeks in mature male rats. Mild inflammation was induced by subcutaneous injection of 20 µg lipopolysaccharide into one hind‐leg three times/week for 4 or 8 weeks, followed by up to 12 weeks ‘rest’ without intervention. Mean volume and frequency of apoptosis (TUNEL assay) were measured in adipocytes isolated from sites defined by their anatomical relations to lymph nodes, plus numbers of CCL21‐stimulated lymph node‐derived and adipose tissue‐derived dendritic cells. Experimental inflammation increased dendritic cells and adipocyte apoptosis in the locally stimulated popliteal depot and the lymphoid tissue‐associated regions of the contralateral popliteal and mesentery and omentum. Responses declined slowly after inflammation ended, but all measurements from the locally stimulated popliteal depot, and the omentum, were still significantly different from controls after 12 weeks rest. The locally stimulated popliteal adipose tissue enlarged by 5% within 4 weeks and remained larger than the control. We conclude that prolonged inflammation induces permanent enlargement, greater adipocyte turnover and increased dendritic cell surveillance in the adjacent adipose tissue and the omentum. The experiment suggests a mechanism for selective hypertrophy of lymphoid tissue‐associated adipose tissue in chronic stress and inflammatory disorders, including impaired lymph drainage, Crohn's disease and HIV‐associated lipodystrophy, and a link between evolutionary fitness, sexual selection and aesthetically pleasing body symmetry. It would be useful for further study of molecular mechanisms in inflammation‐induced local hypertrophy of adipose tissue and development of specific therapies that avoid interference with whole‐body lipid metabolism.
Twenty‐year trends of workplace lunches in Finland
Authors: Raulio Susanna , Roos Eva , Rahkonen Ossi , Prättälä Ritva 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe aim of this study was to examine the trend of workplace cafeteria use among Finnish adults between 1979 and 2001. Data from annually collected cross‐sectional surveys on health behaviour, conducted since 1978, were used. Subjects were 24 292 employed men and 24 746 women aged 25–64. Frequency of workplace cafeteria use has been stable in Finland over the two decades under study. Women used the cafeterias more often than men. Differences by years of education and place of residence have remained relatively stable. People living in the capital area and having more years of education used the cafeterias more often. The Finnish habit of having a mid‐day lunch at the cafeteria of one's respective workplace has resisted major changes in working and living conditions and social structures during the past two decades.
[O ii] line ratios
Authors: Pradhan Anil K. , Montenegro Maximiliano , Nahar Sultana N. , Eissner Werner 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
Based on new calculations, we reconfirm the low- and high-density limits on the forbidden fine-structure line intensity ratio [O ii]I(3729)/I(3726): and . Employing [O ii] collision strengths calculated using the Breit–Pauli R-matrix method, we rule out any significant deviation due to relativistic effects from these canonical values. The present results are in substantial agreement with older calculations by Pradhan, and validate the extensive observational analyses of gaseous nebulae by Copetti & Writzel and Wang et al. that reach the same conclusions. The present theoretical results and the recent observational analyses differ significantly from the calculations by McLaughlin & Bell and Keenan et al. The new Maxwellian averaged effective collision strengths are presented for the 10 transitions among the first five levels to enable computations of [O ii] line ratios.
Using Analytic Element Models to Delineate Drinking Water Source Protection Areas
Authors: Raymond Heather A. , Bondoc Michael , McGinnis John , Metropulos Kathy , Heider Pat , Reed Allison , Saines Steve 
Published: December 2005

AbstractSince 1999, Ohio EPA hydrogeologists have used two analytic element models (AEMs), the proprietary software GFLOW and U.S. EPA's WhAEM, to delineate protection areas for 535 public water systems. Both models now use the GFLOW2001 solution engine, integrate well with Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, have a user‐friendly graphical interface, are capable of simulating a variety of complex hydrogeologic settings, and do not rely upon a model grid. These features simplify the modeling process and enable AEMs to bridge the gap between existing simplistic delineation methods and more complex numerical models. Ohio EPA hydrogeologists demonstrated that WhAEM2000 and GFLOW2000 were capable of producing capture zones similar to more widely accepted models by applying the AEMs to eight sites that had been previously delineated using other methods. After the Ohio EPA delineated protection areas using AEMs, more simplistic delineation methods used by other states (volumetric equation and arbitrary fixed radii) were applied to the same water systems to compare the differences between various methods. GIS software and two‐tailed paired t‐tests were used to quantify the differences in protection areas and analyze the data. The results of this analysis demonstrate that AEMs typically produce significantly different protection areas than the most simplistic delineation methods, in terms of total area and shape. If the volumetric equation had been used instead of AEMs, Ohio would not have protected 265 km2 of critical upgradient area and would have overprotected 269 km2 of primarily downgradient land. Since an increasing number of land‐use restrictions are being tied to drinking water protection areas, this analysis has broad policy implications.
Multiscale Characterization of a Heterogeneous Aquifer Using an ASR Operation
Authors: Pavelic Paul , Dillon Peter J , Simmons Craig T 
Published: December 2005

AbstractHeterogeneity in the physical properties of an aquifer can significantly affect the viability of aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) by reducing the recoverable proportion of low‐salinity water where the ambient ground water is brackish or saline. This study investigated the relationship between knowledge of heterogeneity and predictions of solute transport and recovery efficiency by combining permeability and ASR‐based tracer testing with modeling. Multiscale permeability testing of a sandy limestone aquifer at an ASR trial site showed that small‐scale core data give lower‐bound estimates of aquifer hydraulic conductivity (K), intermediate‐scale downhole flowmeter data offer valuable information on variations in K with depth, and large‐scale pumping test data provide an integrated measure of the effective K that is useful to constrain ground water models. Chloride breakthrough and thermal profiling data measured during two cycles of ASR showed that the movement of injected water is predominantly within two stratigraphic layers identified from the flowmeter data. The behavior of the injectant was reasonably well simulated with a four‐layer numerical model that required minimal calibration. Verification in the second cycle achieved acceptable results given the model's simplicity. Without accounting for the aquifer's layered structure, high precision could be achieved on either piezometer breakthrough or recovered water quality, but not both. This study demonstrates the merit of an integrated approach to characterizing aquifers targeted for ASR.
Cloning and Characterization of Two Xyloglucanases from
Paenibacillus
sp. Strain KM21
Authors: Yaoi Katsuro , Nakai Tomonori , Kameda Yoshiro , Hiyoshi Ayako , Mitsuishi Yasushi 
Published: December 2005

ABSTRACT

Two xyloglucan-specific endo-β-1,4-glucanases (xyloglucanases [XEGs]), XEG5 and XEG74, with molecular masses of 40 kDa and 105 kDa, respectively, were isolated from the gram-positive bacterium
Paenibacillus
sp. strain KM21, which degrades tamarind seed xyloglucan. The genes encoding these XEGs were cloned and sequenced. Based on their amino acid sequences, the catalytic domains of XEG5 and XEG74 were classified in the glycoside hydrolase families 5 and 74, respectively. XEG5 is the first xyloglucanase belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 5. XEG5 lacks a carbohydrate-binding module, while XEG74 has an X2 module and a family 3 type carbohydrate-binding module at its C terminus. The two XEGs were expressed in
Escherichia coli
, and recombinant forms of the enzymes were purified and characterized. Both XEGs had endoglucanase active only toward xyloglucan and not toward Avicel, carboxymethylcellulose, barley β-1,3/1,4-glucan, or xylan. XEG5 is a typical endo-type enzyme that randomly cleaves the xyloglucan main chain, while XEG74 has dual endo- and exo-mode activities or processive endo-mode activity. XEG5 digested the xyloglucan oligosaccharide XXXGXXXG to produce XXXG, whereas XEG74 digestion of XXXGXXXG resulted in XXX, XXXG, and GXXXG, suggesting that this enzyme cleaves the glycosidic bond of unbranched Glc residues. Analyses using various oligosaccharide structures revealed that unique structures of xyloglucan oligosaccharides can be prepared with XEG74.
Protamylasse, a Residual Compound of Industrial Starch Production, Provides a Suitable Medium for Large-Scale Cyanophycin Production
Authors: Elbahloul Yasser , Frey Kay , Sanders Johan , Steinbüchel Alexander 
Published: December 2005

ABSTRACTProtamylasse is a residual compound occurring during the industrial production of starch from potatoes. It contains a variety of nutrients and all necessary minerals and could be used as a carbon, nitrogen, and energy source for the growth of bacteria and also for cyanophycin (CGP) biosynthesis. Media containing protamylasse as the sole compound diluted only in water were therefore examined for their suitability in CGP production. Among various bacterial strains investigated in this study, a recombinant strain ofEscherichia coliDH1 harboring plasmid pMa/c5-914::cphA6803, which carries the cyanophycin synthetase structural gene (cphA) fromSynechocystissp. strain PCC6803, was found to be most suitable. Various cultivation conditions for high CGP contents were first optimized in shake flask cultures. The optimized conditions were then successfully applied to 30- and 500-liter fermentation scales in stirred tank reactors. A maximum CGP content of 28% (wt/wt) CGP per cell dry matter was obtained in 6% (vol/vol) protamylasse medium at an initial pH of 7.0 within a cultivation period of only 24 h. The CGP contents obtained with this recombinant strain employing protamylasse medium were higher than those obtained with the same strain cultivated in mineral salts medium or in expensive commercial complex media such as Luria-Bertani or Terrific broth. It was shown that most amino acids present in the protamylasse medium were almost completely utilized by the cells during cultivation. Exceptions were alanine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and most interestingly, arginine. Furthermore, CGP was easily isolated from protamylasse-grown cells by applying the acid extraction method. The CGP exhibited a molecular mass of about 26 to 30 kDa and was composed of 50% (mol/mol) aspartate, 46% (mol/mol) arginine, and 4% (mol/mol) lysine. The use of cheap residual protamylasse could contribute in establishing an economically and also ecologically feasible process for the biotechnological production of CGP.
Characterization of a Forest Soil Metagenome Clone That Confers Indirubin and Indigo Production on
Escherichia coli
Authors: Lim He Kyoung , Chung Eu Jin , Kim Jin-Cheol , Choi Gyung Ja , Jang Kyoung Soo , Chung Young Ryun , Cho Kwang Yun , Lee Seon-Woo 
Published: December 2005

ABSTRACT

A microbial community analysis of forest soil from Jindong Valley, Korea, revealed that the most abundant rRNA genes were related to
Acidobacteria
, a major taxon with few cultured representatives. To access the microbial genetic resources of this forest soil, metagenomic libraries were constructed in fosmids, with an average DNA insert size of more than 35 kb. We constructed 80,500 clones from Yuseong and 33,200 clones from Jindong Valley forest soils. The double-agar-layer method allowed us to select two antibacterial clones by screening the constructed libraries using
Bacillus subtilis
as a target organism. Several clones produced purple or brown colonies. One of the selected antibacterial clones, pJEC5, produced purple colonies. Structural analysis of the purified pigments demonstrated that the metagenomic clone produced both the pigment indirubin and its isomer, indigo blue, resulting in purple colonies. In vitro mutational and subclonal analyses revealed that two open reading frames (ORFs) are responsible for the pigment production and antibacterial activity. The ORFs encode an oxygenase-like protein and a putative transcriptional regulator. Mutations of the gene encoding the oxygenase canceled both pigment production and antibacterial activity, whereas a subclone carrying the two ORFs retained pigment production and antibacterial activity. This finding suggests that these forest soil microbial genes are responsible for producing the pigment with antibacterial activity.
Effects of Long-Term Storage on Plasmid Stability in
Bacillus anthracis
Authors: Marston Chung K. , Hoffmaster Alex R. , Wilson Kathy E. , Bragg Sandra L. , Plikaytis Brian , Brachman Philip , Johnson Scott , Kaufmann Arnold F. , Popovic Tanja 
Published: December 2005

ABSTRACT

The plasmid profiles of 619 cultures of
Bacillus anthracis
which had been isolated and stored between 1954 and 1989 were analyzed using the Laboratory Response Network real-time PCR assay targeting a chromosomal marker and both virulence plasmids (pXO1 and pXO2). The cultures were stored at ambient temperature on tryptic soy agar slants overlaid with mineral oil. When data were stratified by decade, there was a decreasing linear trend in the proportion of strains containing both plasmids with increased storage time (
P
< 0.001). There was no significant difference in the proportion of strains containing only pXO1 or strains containing only pXO2 (
P
= 0.25), but there was a statistical interdependence between the two plasmids (
P
= 0.004). Loss of viability of
B. anthracis
cultures stored on agar slants is also discussed.
Effect of Immersion Solutions Containing Enterocin AS-48 on
Listeria monocytogenes
in Vegetable Foods
Authors: Cobo Molinos Antonio , Abriouel Hikmate , Ben Omar Nabil , Valdivia Eva , Lucas López Rosario , Maqueda Mercedes , Cañamero Magdalena Martínez , Gálvez Antonio 
Published: December 2005

ABSTRACT

The effect of immersion solutions containing enterocin AS-48 alone or in combination with chemical preservatives on survival and proliferation of
Listeria monocytogenes
CECT 4032 inoculated on fresh alfalfa sprouts, soybean sprouts, and green asparagus was tested. Immersion treatments (5 min at room temperature) with AS-48 solutions (25 μg/ml) reduced listeria counts of artificially contaminated alfalfa and soybean sprouts by approximately 2.0 to 2.4 log CFU/g compared to a control immersion treatment in distilled water. The same bacteriocin immersion treatment applied on green asparagus had a very limited effect. During storage of vegetable samples treated with immersion solutions of 12.5 and 25 μg of AS-48/ml, viable listeria counts were reduced below detection limits at days 1 to 7 for alfalfa and soybean sprouts at 6 and 15°C, as well as green asparagus at 15°C. Only a limited inhibition of listeria proliferation was detected during storage of bacteriocin-treated alfalfa sprouts and green asparagus at 22°C. Treatment with solutions containing AS-48 plus lactic acid, sodium lactate, sodium nitrite, sodium nitrate, trisodium phosphate, trisodium trimetaphosphate, sodium thiosulphate,
n
-propyl
p-
hydroxybenzoate,
p
-hydoxybenzoic acid methyl ester, hexadecylpyridinium chloride, peracetic acid, or sodium hypochlorite reduced viable counts of listeria below detection limits (by approximately 2.6 to 2.7 log CFU/g) upon application of the immersion treatment and/or further storage for 24 h, depending of the chemical preservative concentration. Significant increases of antimicrobial activity were also detected for AS-48 plus potassium permanganate and in some combinations with acetic acid, citric acid, sodium propionate, and potassium sorbate.
Metabolic Engineering of
Escherichia coli
for Enhanced Production of Succinic Acid, Based on Genome Comparison and In Silico Gene Knockout Simulation
Authors: Lee Sang Jun , Lee Dong-Yup , Kim Tae Yong , Kim Byung Hun , Lee Jinwon , Lee Sang Yup 
Published: December 2005

ABSTRACT

Comparative analysis of the genomes of mixed-acid-fermenting
Escherichia coli
and succinic acid-overproducing
Mannheimia succiniciproducens
was carried out to identify candidate genes to be manipulated for overproducing succinic acid in
E. coli
. This resulted in the identification of five genes or operons, including
ptsG
,
pykF
,
sdhA
,
mqo
, and
aceBA
, which may drive metabolic fluxes away from succinic acid formation in the central metabolic pathway of
E. coli
. However, combinatorial disruption of these rationally selected genes did not allow enhanced succinic acid production in
E. coli
. Therefore, in silico metabolic analysis based on linear programming was carried out to evaluate the correlation between the maximum biomass and succinic acid production for various combinatorial knockout strains. This in silico analysis predicted that disrupting the genes for three pyruvate forming enzymes,
ptsG
,
pykF
, and
pykA
, allows enhanced succinic acid production. Indeed, this triple mutation increased the succinic acid production by more than sevenfold and the ratio of succinic acid to fermentation products by ninefold. It could be concluded that reducing the metabolic flux to pyruvate is crucial to achieve efficient succinic acid production in
E. coli.
These results suggest that the comparative genome analysis combined with in silico metabolic analysis can be an efficient way of developing strategies for strain improvement.
Sensitive Detection of Botulinum Neurotoxin Types C and D with an Immunoaffinity Chromatographic Column Test
Authors: Gessler Frank , Hampe Katrin , Böhnel Helge 
Published: December 2005

ABSTRACTA sensitive and specific immunoassay for the simultaneous detection ofClostridium botulinumtype C (BoNT/C) and type D neurotoxin was developed. Goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin G was bound to polyethylene disks in a small disposable column used for this assay. The sample was preincubated together with monoclonal antibodies specific for the heavy chain of BoNT/C and D and affinity-purified, biotinylated polyclonal antibodies against these neurotoxins. This complex was captured on the assay disk. Streptavidin-poly-horseradish peroxidase was used as a conjugate, and a precipitating substrate allowed the direct semiquantitative readout of the assay, if necessary. For a more accurate quantitative detection, the substrate can be eluted and measured in a photometer. Depending on the preincubation time, a sensitivity of 1 mouse lethal dose ml−1was achieved in culture supernatants.