bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vascular wall: Potential target for the physicochemical effects of cis‐unsaturated free fatty acids
Authors: Pérez Francisco R. , Piñeiro Verónica , De La Cruz Luis F. , Casanueva Felipe F. , Casabiell Xesús 
Published: December 2002

AbstractDiets rich in monounsaturated cis‐FFA (cis FFA) are associated with a significant reduction of cardiovascular risk. Although several different mechanisms have been proposed to explain this protective effect, the biochemical processes involved have not been fully elucidated. It has been shown that upon their incorporation into the plasma membrane, cis FFA induce a marked perturbation of the lipid domains, altering membrane fluidity as well as lipid–lipid and lipid–protein interactions in the bilayer plane. During the last few years, several lines of evidence have shown that these perturbations disrupt the activity of several membrane proteins and enzymatic systems. As a result, several critical transmembrane signaling systems, including the Ins(1,4,5)P3/DAG/[Ca2+]i, the cAMP/PKA, and the voltage‐operated Ca2+ influx are strongly inhibited by cis FFA in different experimental models. Furthermore, this inhibition is associated with alterations in the timing of the cell cycle as well as in the final steps of the secretory pathway. We propose that this complex set of biological actions exerted by cis FFA at the plasma membrane may contribute to explain the protective roles that these molecules appear to exert on the vascular wall. Microsc. Res. Tech. 60:23–29, 2003. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diffusion‐weighted MRI after cryosurgery of the canine prostate
Authors: Butts Kim , Daniel Bruce L. , Chen Lili , M. Bouley Donna , Wansapura Janaka , Maier Stephan E. , Dumoulin Charles , Watkins Ron 
Published: December 2002

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the acute lesion created by cryosurgery with diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI).Materials and MethodsThe appearance of the acute cryolesion was evaluated in four canine prostates DWI after they were warmed to original body temperature. The prostates were excised, stained with triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC), photographed, prepared for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and examined under a light microscope.ResultsA marked decrease in apparent diffusion coefficient of 38% was evident in the center of the previously frozen tissue, but not in all of the previously frozen tissue. Histologic results confirm differences between the iceball core and the periphery of the iceball, which have markedly different imaging characteristics on DWI.ConclusionThe core of the previously frozen tissue has a reduced apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) compared to the periphery of the previously frozen tissue and previously unfrozen tissue. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2003;17:131–135. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Kinetics of the thermal decomposition of bis(trifluoromethyl) peroxydicarbonate, CF3OC(O)OOC(O)OCF3
Authors: Burgos Paci Maximiliano A. , Argüello Gustavo A. , García Plácido , Willner Helge 
Published: December 2002

AbstractThermal decomposition of bis(trifluoromethyl) peroxydicarbonate has been studied. The mechanism of decomposition is a simple bond fission, homogeneous first‐order process when the reaction is carried out in the presence of inert gases such as N2 or CO. An activation energy of 28.5 kcal mol−1 was determined for the temperature range of 50–90°C. Decomposition is accelerated by nitric oxide because of a chemical attack on the peroxide forming substances different from those formed with N2 or CO. An interpretation on the influence of the substituents in different peroxides on the OO bond is given. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 15–19, 2003
Purchase‐role structure in Korean families: Revisited
Authors: Na Woonbong , Son Youngseok , Marshall Roger 
Published: December 2002

AbstractThis opportunistic research has been made possible by the financial crisis that struck much of Asia in 1998, and was followed by a rapid recovery in 1999. Previous research has been conducted to study the structure of family decisions in Korea during the 1997–98 period. By adding one more set of data points, for 1999, it is possible to conduct a 3‐year, longitudinal study to revisit the structure of family decision making under the impact of the economic crisis experienced during this period. The major finding is that more joint decision making occurs under economic stress, although the effect is mitigated by the economic circumstances of the respondent and involvement level of the product category. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A study of Japanese consumers' cognitive hierarchies in formal and informal gift‐giving situations
Authors: Lotz Sherry L. , Shim Soyeon , Gehrt Kenneth C. 
Published: December 2002

AbstractIn recent years, academicians have shown an increasing interest in Asian gift‐giving behavior. Yet studies investigating Asians' cognitive hierarchical structures in the gift‐giving context have been limited. Additionally, the literature suggests that Asian consumers' cognitive structures are particularly affected by situational contingencies. Thus, this study examines Japanese consumers' cognitive hierarchies, in a gift‐giving context, in formal and informal situations utilizing a most‐abstract to least‐abstract cognitive hierarchical framework. Data were collected through a mail survey of Japanese consumers in the greater Tokyo area and six other major metropolitan cities. As hypothesized, structural‐equation modeling results revealed that the Japanese consumer's cognitive hierarchical flow from most‐ to least‐abstract cognitions remained intact regardless of the situation. In contrast, as expected, differing situations were found to influence intercognitive dimensional relationships. Implications of these findings are discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Protective effects of ligustrazine on ischemia‐reperfusion injury in rat kidneys
Authors: Sun Lijiang , Li Yujun , Shi Jingsen , Wang Xiao , Wang Xiang 
Published: December 2002

AbstractTo investigate the protective effects of ligustrazine on renal ischemia‐reperfusion injury, the influence of ligustrazine injection on plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and endothelin‐1 (ET‐1), as well as changes of morphology of renal tubules, were studied in rat kidney models with ischemia‐reperfusion injury. The results showed that in the group treated with ligustrazine, the plasma SOD level was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05), but levels of plasma MDA and ET‐1 and the pathological grading of injured renal tubules were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that ligustrazine has protective effects against ischemia‐reperfusion injury in rat kidneys. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 22:343–346 2002
Independent roles of Rho‐GTPases in growth cone and axonal behavior
Authors: Thies Edda , Davenport Roger W. 
Published: December 2002

AbstractMany external signals influence growth cone motility, pathfinding, and the formation of synapses that lead to the final map formation of the retinotectal system. Chick temporal retinal ganglion cell axons (RGCs) collapse and retract after encountering posterior tectal cells in vitro. During this process lateral extensions appear along the RGC axonal shaft. Lateral extensions appear as nascent interstitial axonal branches and also as defasciculating growth cones that are trailing along the pioneer axon. RGC branching controlled by repellent tectal cues has recently been shown to be the critical event in retinotectal map development. The intracellular mechanism underlying this phenomenon, however, is not understood. Inhibiting RhoA with either C3 toxin or inhibiting p160Rock kinase, an effector of RhoA, with Y27632 inhibited collapse, retraction, and the number of axons that showed lateral extensions. Lateral extension length increased significantly. Inhibiting Rac1A and cdc42 with cell permeable peptide inhibitors did not inhibit collapse of growth cones, but did inhibit axon retraction. In addition, the number of axons that showed lateral extensions and lateral extension length were significantly reduced. A dynamic cytoskeleton is necessary to react to incoming guidance information. This study addresses the problems of how growth cone motility and branching or defasciculation are affected by Rho‐GTPases as extracellular signals are transmitted to the cytoskeleton. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 54: 358–369, 2003
Preconditioning methods for linear systems arising in constrained optimization problems
Authors: Axelsson Owe , Neytcheva Maya 
Published: December 2002

AbstractPreconditioning methods for matrices on saddle point form, as typically arising in equality constrained optimization problems, are surveyed. Special consideration is given to two methods: a nearly symmetric block incomplete factorization preconditioning method and a preconditioner on the same saddle point form as the given matrix. Both methods result in eigenvalues with positive real parts and small or zero imaginary parts. The behaviour of the methods are illustrated by solving a regularized Stokes problem. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biospinning: Change of water contents in drawn silk
Authors: Tanaka Toshihisa , Kobayashi Masatoshi , Inoue Shun‐Ichi , Tsuda Hidetoshi , Magoshi Jun 
Published: December 2002

AbstractChanges of the water content in drawn silk during drying were investigated by thermal analysis and 1H pulse NMR. Water in liquid silk by drawing extruded from the inside of the silk filament into ambient air. The water contents in the drawn silk decreased with drying time. Assuming the nonfreezing water has a concentration of 10 wt % in the liquid silk, the percentage distribution of water in liquid silk is composed of 10 wt % nonfreezing water, 40 wt % freezing water, and 30 wt % free water. This 40 wt % freezing water in the liquid silk may be important for the formation of fine pores on the surface of drawn silk. The apparent pore radius, which was calculated from the results of thermal analysis, on the surface of drawn silk decreased to 5.0 nm and finally to 2.0 nm. The calculated apparent fine pore formed on the surface by drawing was 4.0 nm. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 274–280, 2003
From nationwide standardized testing to school‐based alternative embedded assessment in Israel: Students' performance in the matriculation 2000 project
Authors: Dori Yehudit J. 
Published: December 2002

AbstractMatriculation 2000 was a 5‐year project aimed at moving from the nationwide traditional examination system in Israel to a school‐based alternative embedded assessment. Encompassing 22 high schools from various communities in the country, the Project aimed at fostering deep understanding, higher‐order thinking skills, and students' engagement in learning through alternative teaching and embedded assessment methods. This article describes research conducted during the fifth year of the Project at 2 experimental and 2 control schools. The research objective was to investigate students' learning outcomes in chemistry and biology in the Matriculation 2000 Project. The assumption was that alternative embedded assessment has some effect on students' performance. The experimental students scored significantly higher than their control group peers on low‐level assignments and more so on assignments that required higher‐order thinking skills. The findings indicate that given adequate support and teachers' consent and collaboration, schools can transfer from nationwide or statewide standardized testing to school‐based alter‐native embedded assessment. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 40: 34–52, 2003
An adaptive space–time receiver for high‐capacity communications systems based on multichannel multirate DS‐CDMA
Authors: Falletti Emanuela , Sellone Fabrizio , Tortorelli Innocenzo 
Published: December 2002

AbstractThe capacity of wireless communications systems based upon Direct‐Sequence Code Division Multiple Access (DS‐CDMA) is severely reduced by Multiple Access Interference (MAI), especially at higher bit rates. Therefore, methods aimed at limiting the MAI are mandatory solutions in order to face the ever‐growing number of subscribers of next‐generation wireless systems. Smart Antennas are a promising technology for improving the performance of high‐capacity mobile communications systems, because they are able to increase the Signal to Interference plus Noise power Ratio (SINR) of the received signals by dynamically adapting the equivalent array beam pattern in order to track the movements of the users within the cell. Moreover, Spatiotemporal RAKE receivers, representing the synergy between beamforming techniques and RAKE receiver structures, are one of the best candidates for the realization of high‐capacity multichannel (CDMA) wireless systems, due to their ability in exploiting both the spatial and temporal diversity inherently offered by wireless channels.This paper is focused on the structure of a Spatiotemporal RAKE receiver for the uplink of multichannel DS‐CDMA systems. Its main feature is the capability of coherently combining the multipaths of the useful signal across both space and time, while simultaneously reducing the MAI. A blind and adaptive beamforming algorithm realizing such a Spatiotemporal RAKE receiver is presented. It exploits the knowledge and the synchronization of the scrambling code uniquely assigned to an addressed user, requiring neither estimates of the spatiotemporal propagation channel nor training or pilot sequences. Its design philosophy consists in the maximization of the SINR at the beamformer output, and it is based upon an orthogonal projection of the received signal onto the linear space generated by the spreading code of the desired user.Computer simulations show the effectiveness of the Spatiotemporal receiver, in terms of convergence speed, SINR gain and bit error probability. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel class of decimation filters for ΣΔ A/D converters
Authors: Daneshgaran Fred , Laddomada Massimiliano 
Published: December 2002

AbstractA major bottleneck to the design of a truly wideband reconfigurable Software Radio (SR) transceiver is the front end of the system. It is desirable to push the analog‐to‐digital boundary of the SR transceiver as close to the antenna as possible. This places great demands on analog‐to‐digital converters that must produce high‐resolution samples of the incoming signal centered around a carrier frequency in the gigahertz range. A very promising architecture for the design of such converters is the ΣΔ architecture. A critical component of the ΣΔ converter is the rate‐conversion filter that is responsible for rejection of the out‐of‐band noise. Cascaded‐Integrator‐Comb (CIC) filters are efficient antialiasing rate‐conversion filter structures realized by cascading integrator and comb cells separated by a decimation block. High‐order structures, attempting to increase the rejection of the out‐of‐band noise that folds into the useful signal bandwidth because of the decimation, have the drawback of inserting multiple zeroes in the same positions throughout the stop‐band and to increase the edge‐band attenuation.In this paper, we propose a class of decimation filter architectures composed of a cascade of modified CIC filters, which have higher attenuation of the quantization noise produced by a ΣΔ modulator around the folding bands and lower passband drop than classic CIC structures. The design criteria of the proposed filters are described, with the goal of maximizing the denoising effect and minimizing the passband drop, and the problem of the practical realization of the proposed decimation scheme is addressed. Simulations confirm the effectiveness of the proposed decimation filter architectures. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design and test‐bed implementation of a reconfigurable receiver for navigation applications
Authors: Dovis F. , Gramazio A. , Mulassano P. 
Published: December 2002

AbstractThe geographical location of a wireless device is acquiring a significant importance under the boost of innovative applications in the wireless market, and under the research activities related to the development of a new generation of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). In the US a new phase of the Global Positioning System is foreseen, and Europe has decided to proceed with the Galileo program. In addition, different government institutions worldwide are working toward the definition of navigation plans, and regulations will set as mandatory the location identification of mobile users in emergency situations (US E‐911 law and the European E‐112 directive).Considering all the navigation/positioning systems and techniques that will be available in the near future, it is clear that a central role will be played by the user handset; in fact, if navigation signals from different sources will be available, the unique possibility to obtain the best navigation performance from the user perspective will be the employment of enhanced receivers able to fuse different data.With this aim, this paper presents the design of an innovative navigation receiver based on Software Defined Radio (SDR) technology. The reconfigurability and flexibility issues are guaranteed by the use of reprogrammable high‐speed hardware (FPGA—Field Programmable Gate Array and DSP—Digital Signal Processor) and thus a deep integration at the raw signal level between GPS and the future Galileo has been obtained. The interoperability issue among different systems is then solved at the receiver level. This paper discusses the implementation of a baseline architecture of a reconfigurable GNSS receiver over a FPGA + DSP prototype platform. The receiver is able to deal with different input Signals‐In‐Space (SIS), and can operate with present GPS ranging signals or with the future Galileo SIS. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ribavirin Quantification in Combination Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C
Authors: Larrat Sylvie , Stanke-Labesque Françoise , Plages Agnès , Zarski Jean-Pierre , Bessard Germain , Souvignet Claude 
Published: December 2002

ABSTRACT

Ribavirin in combination with alpha 2 interferon is the consensus treatment for chronic hepatitis C. However, recent preliminary pharmacological studies have suggested that the bioavailability of ribavirin displays great interindividual variability. In order to monitor serum ribavirin levels during combination treatment, we developed and validated a quantitative assay using an approach adaptable for routine hospital laboratories. The method involved solid-phase extraction on phenyl boronic acid cartridges followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with a C
18
-bonded silica column and a mobile phase containing 10 mM ammonium phosphate buffer (with the pH adjusted to 2.5) and UV detection (207 nm). The sensitivity, recovery, linearity of the calibration curve, intra- and interassay accuracies, precision, and stability at 4°C were consistent with its use in the laboratory routine. In addition, other nucleoside analogues sometimes used with ribavirin in patients coinfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus did not interfere with the quantification of ribavirin levels. The ribavirin concentration was quantified in 24 serum samples from patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with a combination of ribavirin and alpha 2 interferon. The mean serum ribavirin concentration was 2.67 ± 1.06 μg/ml (
n
= 24) at week 12 of treatment (W12) and 3.24 ± 1.35 μg/ml (
n
= 24) at week 24 of treatment (W24). In addition, ribavirin concentrations displayed high interindividual variabilities: the coefficients of variation of the serum ribavirin concentrations adjusted to the administered dose were 44 and 48% at W12 and W24, respectively. Moreover, the ribavirin concentration was higher in patients with a sustained virological response (
n
= 11) than in patients with treatment failure (
n
= 13), with significant intergroup differences at W12 (
P
= 0.030) and W24 (
P
= 0.049). The present study describes a simple analytical method for the quantification of ribavirin in human serum that could be a useful tool for the monitoring of ribavirin concentrations in HCV-infected patients in order to improve the efficacy and safety of therapy with ribavirin plus interferon.
Comparative Molecular Analysis of Community- or Hospital-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Fey P. D. , Saïd-Salim B. , Rupp M. E. , Hinrichs S. H. , Boxrud D. J. , Davis C. C. , Kreiswirth B. N. , Schlievert P. M. 
Published: December 2002

ABSTRACT

Community-acquired methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(CA-MRSA) is a growing public health concern that has been associated with pediatric fatalities. It is hypothesized that the evolution of CA-MRSA is a recent event due to the acquisition of
mec
DNA by previously methicillin-susceptible strains that circulated in the community. This study investigated the genetic relatedness between CA-MRSA, hospital-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA), and nonmenstrual toxic shock syndrome (nmTSS) isolates. Thirty-one of 32 CA-MRSA isolates were highly related as determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and
spa
typing yet were distinguishable from 32 HA-MRSA strains. The 31 related CA-MRSA isolates produced either staphylococcal enterotoxin B (
n
= 5) or C (
n
= 26), and none made TSS toxin 1. All CA-MRSA isolates tested contained a type IV staphylococcal cassette chromosome
mec
(SCC
mec
) element. In comparison, none of the HA-MRSA isolates (
n
= 32) expressed the three superantigens. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns were different between the CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA isolates; CA-MRSA was typically resistant only to β-lactam antibiotics. Six of twenty-one nmTSS isolates were indistinguishable or highly related to the CA-MRSA isolates. MnCop, an nmTSS isolate obtained in Alabama in 1986, was highly related to the CA-MRSA isolates except that it did not contain an SCC
mec
element. These data suggest that CA-MRSA strains may represent a new acquisition of SCC
mec
DNA in a previously susceptible genetic background that was capable of causing nmTSS. CA-MRSA poses a serious health risk not only because it is resistant to the antibiotics of choice for community-acquired staphylococcal infections but also because of its ability to cause nmTSS via superantigen production.