bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A rapid purification procedure for cathepsin L from bovine species and production of specific antibodies
Authors: Sentandreu Miguel A , Aubry Laurent , Ouali Ahmed 
Published: August 2004

AbstractTwo approaches have been carried out for the production of polyclonal antibodies specific of bovine cathepsin L (EC 3.4.22.15). The first one consisted in the purification of cathepsin L from bovine liver, through the development of an original protocol that can be achieved in 4 days, and further injection in rabbits. The purification scheme included the preparation of an enriched lysosomal extract, selective precipitation with ammonium sulfate and different chromatographic steps including size‐exclusion chromatography, cation‐ and anion‐exchange chromatography and the use of an affinity column for the removal of trace amounts of bovine serum albumin. The final enzyme preparation was purified 8400‐fold and consisted predominantly in the double‐chain form of cathepsin L. This was proved by the presence of a main protein band with Mr of 25 kDa, corresponding to the cathepsin L heavy chain, in SDS‐PAGE under reducing and denaturant conditions, and was further confirmed by immunoblotting. The second approach consisted in the generation of polyclonal antibodies against the peptide sequence 99PECSAANDTGFVDIPQR115, specific of the bovine cathepsin L heavy chain. Both types of antibodies were proved to specifically recognize cathepsin L. However, while antibodies raised against the whole protein recognized native cathepsin L, the antipeptide was able to recognize the enzyme in its denatured form. Both of them are adequate for the future development of immunoassays, allowing a rapid and accurate quantification of cathepsin L levels directly in crude extracts of meat and meat‐derived products. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Characterisation and variation of antioxidant micronutrients in lettuce (Lactuca sativa folium)
Authors: Nicolle Catherine , Carnat Andrée , Fraisse Didier , Lamaison Jean‐Louis , Rock Edmond , Michel Hervé , Amouroux Pierre , Remesy Christian 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe main phenolic compound in six studied lettuce cultivars (five green and one red) was identified as dicaffeoyl tartaric acid. Quantitative but not qualitative differences were found in the phenolic profiles among green cultivars. The red oak leaf cultivar contained twofold more dicaffeoyl tartaric acid and 10‐fold more chlorogenic acid than the green cultivars. Total phenolics ranged from 8.4 to 12.9 mg g−1 dry weight in green varieties and reached 27.8 mg g−1 dry weight in red oak leaf. Carotenoids and vitamins E and C were also quantified. Lutein was the main carotenoid found in all cultivars, together with another xanthophyll. The period of harvesting had only a marginal influence on total phenolic levels, whereas carotenoid and vitamin E levels were higher at the second period of harvesting. Vitamin C levels ranged between 6.1 and 9.9 mg per 100 g fresh weight. We investigated the total antioxidant power in lettuce. Total phenolics accounted for more than 60% of the total antioxidant capacity. Dicaffeoyl tartaric acid accounted for 55%. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Textural changes during cooking of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) roots
Authors: Beleia Adelaide , Yamashita Fabio , de Moraes Sandra R , da Silveira César A , Miranda Lílian A 
Published: August 2004

AbstractConsumer acceptability of cassava food products depends mostly on the final texture of the cooked tissue. The age of the roots at harvest seems to be an important factor in determining the final texture. Two cassava cultivars harvested at 8, 17 and 30 months after planting were used for texture loss determination by a puncture test after cooking at constant boiling water temperature. Kinetic data were analysed using fractional conversion. The raw tissue showed decreasing or constant peak yield force values as the root aged. There was a gradual first‐order softening during cooking, with decreasing rate constant as the root aged. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Highly precise pulsed selective laser sintering of metallic powders
Authors: Fischer P , Romano V , Blatter A , Weber H P 
Published: August 2004

We studied the influence of the laser parameters on the
material properties of selectively laser sintered Titanium and
Platinum-alloyed powders, which are both of paramount interest in
modern technology. In this article, we show that with an
appropriate energy deposition in the metallic powder layer, the
material properties of the selectively laser sintered parts can
locally be tailored to the requirements of the finished work
piece. By adapting the laser parameters of a Q-switched Nd:YAG
laser, notably pulse duration and local intensity, the degree of
porosity, density and even the crystalline microstructure can be
controlled. Pulsed interaction allows in addition to minimize the
average power needed for consolidation of the metallic powder, and
leads to less residual thermal stresses. With laser post
processing, the surface can achieve bulk-like density.
We also
demonstrate for the first time to our knowledge the highly precise
selective laser sintering of steel micro powder with a lateral
accuracy of less than 10 micrometers by using a modelocked Nd:YAG
laser. Furthermore, we present the possibility of forming metallic
glass components by sintering amorphous metallic powders.
Catalyst Systems for Alkene Polymerization Based on Metallocene Complexes and Phenoxy Alumoxane with a Perfluorinated Phenyl Group
Authors: Kissin Yury V. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractSummary: This paper describes the use of pentafluorophenoxy alumoxane, an oligomeric compound containing Al(OC6F5)O units, as a cocatalyst for metallocene complexes in alkene polymerization reactions. Pentafluorophenoxy alumoxane is produced by two alternative routes. The first route consists of two consecutive reactions: (a) the reaction of AlR3 with C6F5OH, and (b) the reaction of the product of the first step with water. The second route is the reaction between methylalumoxane and C6F5OH.The synthesis of pentafluorophenoxy alumoxane oligomers.imageThe synthesis of pentafluorophenoxy alumoxane oligomers.
A Novel, Facile Method for the Preparation of Uniform, Reactive Maleic Anhydride/Vinyl Acetate Copolymer Micro‐ and Nanospheres
Authors: Xing Chang‐Min , Yang Wan‐Tai 
Published: August 2004

AbstractSummary: A novel, stabilizer‐free dispersion polymerization with alkyl esters as reaction media gives uniform alternating microspheres of maleic anhydride (MAn)/vinyl acetate (VAc) copolymer. The diameter of the copolymer microspheres could be precisely controlled from 80 to 750 nm by changing the monomer concentration or feed ratio. Moreover, this new type of copolymer microspheres with reactive anhydride groups on the surface has good solubility in common nontoxic solvents such as water and ethanol.SEM image of the powder surface of copolymer microspheres formed at [MAn] = [VAc] = 1.5 M.imageSEM image of the powder surface of copolymer microspheres formed at [MAn] = [VAc] = 1.5 M.
A Self‐Assembly Approach to Temperature‐Responsive Polymer Nanocontainers
Authors: Chen Xiangrong , Ding Xiaobin , Zheng Zhaohui , Peng Yuxing 
Published: August 2004

AbstractSummary: Thermosensitive polymer nanocontainers were formed by self‐assembly of diblock copolymers poly(2‐cinnamoylethyl methacrylate)‐block‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PCEMA‐block‐PNIPAM) and subsequent photo‐crosslinking of the PCEMA shells. It was found that the diameter of the nanocontainers ranges from tens of nanometers to thousands of nanometers, depending on the self‐assembly conditions. The phase transition of the nanocontainers takes place at 32 °C; the structural changes are reversible in a heating and cooling cycle.Schematic illustration of the structural transition behavior of the thermosensitive polymer nanocontainers.imageSchematic illustration of the structural transition behavior of the thermosensitive polymer nanocontainers.
Deep Quenching: A Special Method to Study Stress‐Induced Crystallization and Control the Lamellar Growth Direction
Authors: Xu Jun , Guo Bao‐Hua , Zhang Zeng‐Min , Wu Qiong , Chen Guo‐Qiang 
Published: August 2004

AbstractSummary: Liquid‐nitrogen quenching was applied to study the enthalpy effect on the stress‐induced crystallization of microbial polyesters. Crystallization bands of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) exhibited the potential to reveal the stress distribution in the melt; while crystallization of poly[(3‐hydroxybutyrate)‐co‐(3‐hydroxyhexanoate)] gave shish‐kebab structures. Polarized‐light micrographs confirmed that the enhanced nucleation was attributed to the tensile stress. Furthermore, control of the quenching direction provides a method to direct the lamellar growth.Polarized‐light micrographs of PHB film crystallized at 90 °C after quenching in liquid nitrogen from the melt. The normal of the bands, namely the lamellar growth direction, runs predominantly parallel to the stress direction.imagePolarized‐light micrographs of PHB film crystallized at 90 °C after quenching in liquid nitrogen from the melt. The normal of the bands, namely the lamellar growth direction, runs predominantly parallel to the stress direction.
Suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase‐2 in downregulating nuclear factor‐kappa B pathway by Garcinol
Authors: Liao Chiung‐Ho , Sang Shengmin , Liang Yu‐Chih , Ho Chi‐Tang , Lin Jen‐Kun 
Published: August 2004

AbstractGarcinol is a polyisoprenylated benzophenone derivative of Garcinia indica fruit rind and other species. Recent studies have demonstrated that garcinol exhibited antioxidative effects in vitro. In this study, we found that garcinol inhibited the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐activated macrophages. Western blot analyzes and gel‐shift assays revealed that garcinol strongly blocks the activation of eukaryotic transcription factor nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB)‐induced by LPS. Moreover, transient transfection experiments showed that garcinol inhibited the NF‐κB‐dependent transcriptional activity. Based on these data, we demonstrated that inhibition of LPS‐induced NF‐κB activation occurred through suppressing the phosphorylation of IκBα and p38 mitogen‐activated kinase (MAPK). Garcinol also lowers the LPS‐induced increase of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), which contributes to the activation of NF‐κB. The NF‐κB signaling pathway leads to inflammatory reaction and our results suggest that garcinol suppresses the expression of iNOS in this pathway. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Waypoint analysis for command and control
Authors: Wendt David A. , Irwin Mark E. , Cressie Noel 
Published: August 2004

AbstractCommand and Control (C2) in a military setting can be epitomized in battles‐of‐old when commanders would seek high ground to gain superior spatial‐temporal information; from this vantage point, decisions were made and relayed to units in the field. Although the fundamentals remain, technology has changed the practice of C2; for example, enemy units may be observed remotely, with instruments of varying positional accuracy. A basic problem in C2 is the ability to track an enemy object in the battlespace and to forecast its future position; the (extended) Kalman filter provides a straightforward solution. The problem changes fundamentally if one assumes that the moving object is headed for an (unknown) location, or waypoint. This article is concerned with the new problem of estimation of such a waypoint, for which we use Bayesian statistical prediction. The computational burden is greater than an ad hoc regression‐based estimate, which we also develop, but the Bayesian approach has a big advantage in that it yields both a predictor and a measure of its variability. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2004
Modelling heat transfer in two‐fluid interfacial flows
Authors: Mehdi‐Nejad V. , Mostaghimi J. , Chandra S. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThis paper presents a method to calculate heat transfer across an interface separating immiscible fluids. A volume tracking method was used to model the simultaneous movement of mass, momentum and energy across cell boundaries. Both first‐ and second‐order methods were used to approximate temperature fields with sharp gradients that exist near the fluid–fluid interface. Temperature distributions around hot droplets surrounded by a colder fluid with uniform velocity were calculated and the magnitude of false diffusion identified. The effect of changing the thermal diffusivity of the surrounding fluid was studied. It was found that in most cases a second‐order approximation, such as the van Leer scheme, is sufficient for estimating advection temperatures. To demonstrate the capabilities of the model we modelled molten tin droplets falling in an oil bath. The development of vortices behind droplets was modelled and the effect of fluid re‐circulation and oil thermal conductivity on heat dissipation studied. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Algorithms for the analysis of 3D finite strain contact problems
Authors: Areias P. M. A. , César de Sá J. M. A. , Conceição António C. A. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractFrom the constraint imposition aspects in 3D to friction regularization, various ideas are exposed in this paper. A variation of the Rockafellar Lagrangian is proposed which results in continuous second‐order derivatives if Lagrange multiplier estimates are greater or equal than one. This fact allows the adoption of a full second‐order (i.e. Lagrange–Newton) method avoiding sequential unconstrained minimization techniques. An algorithm for global and local contact detection is presented which is developed for dealing with large step sizes typical of implicit methods. A modified constraint definition to deal with non‐smooth situations is presented. Aspects of friction implementation, including a regularization scheme which ensures stepwise objectivity, are detailed. Finally, several illustrative examples are carried out with success. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Welfare transitions in the 1990s: The economy, welfare policy, and the EITC
Authors: Grogger Jeffrey 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe rapid decline in the welfare caseload remains a subject of keen interest to both policymakers and researchers. In this paper, I use data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation spanning the period from 1986 to 1999 to analyze how the economy, welfare reform, the earned income tax credit (EITC), and other factors influence welfare entries and exits, which in turn affect the caseload. I find that the decline in the welfare caseload resulted from both increases in exits and decreases in entries. Entries were most significantly affected by the economy, the decline in the real value of welfare benefits, and the expansion of the EITC. Exits were most significantly affected by the economy and federal welfare reform. Federal reform had its greatest effects on longer‐term spells of the type generally experienced by more disadvantaged recipients. Some out‐of‐sample predictions help explain the otherwise puzzling observation that, despite substantial increases in the unemployment rate since 2000, caseloads have remained roughly constant. © 2004 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
Adolescents' formal employment and school enrollment: Effects of state welfare policies
Authors: Hao Lingxin , Astone Nan M. , Cherlin Andrew J. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractVariations in state welfare policies in the reform era may affect adolescents through two mechanisms: A competing labor market hypothesis posits that stringent state welfare policies may reduce adolescent employment; and a signaling hypothesis posits that stringent welfare policies may promote enrollment. To test these hypotheses, we use a dynamic joint model of adolescents' school enrollment and formal employment, separating state welfare policies from non‐welfare state policies, state labor market conditions, and unobserved state characteristics. Longitudinal data from the NLSY97 on adolescents aged 14 to 18 and various state data sources over the period 1994–1999 support the competing labor market effect but not the signaling effect. In particular, lower‐income dropouts suffer more severely from fewer labor market opportunities when state welfare policies are more stringent, which indicates that welfare reform may compromise work opportunities for lower‐income dropouts. © 2004 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Can child care assistance in welfare and employment programs support the employment of low‐income families?
Authors: Gennetian Lisa A. , Crosby Danielle A. , Huston Aletha C. , Lowe Edward D. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractPolicymakers have long recognized child care as a key ingredient in low‐income parents' employability. We examine the effects of expansions in child care policies that were bundled with a mix of employment‐related policies and implemented as part of several random assignment studies on families' child care access and cost. Almost all of these welfare and employment programs increased employment and led to concomitant increases in the use of child care, especially paid child care. Only the programs that also expanded access or affordability of child care consistently increased the use of child care subsidies and reduced out‐of‐pocket costs to parents, allowing parents to purchase center‐based care. With one exception, such programs had small effects on employment‐related child care problems, suggesting that broader and more generous targeting of child care assistance may be important for achieving the goal of enhancing the stability of employment among low‐income families. © 2004 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
A “third way” in welfare reform? Evidence from the United Kingdom
Authors: Hills John , Waldfogel Jane 
Published: August 2004

AbstractU.S. welfare reforms, whether promoting work first or human capital development, have had in common an emphasis on employment as the key to improving the life chances of children living in single‐mother families. We describe in this article a different type of reform—a “third way” in welfare reform. The welfare reforms carried out in the United Kingdom since the “New Labour” government of Tony Blair was elected in 1997 have included promotion of paid work, but alongside two other components—an explicit commitment to reduce and eventually eliminate child poverty, and a campaign against long‐term disadvantage under the label of tackling “social exclusion.” Welfare‐to‐work reforms promoting employment for single mothers have been active but not as punitive as in the United States. At the same time, the tax credit and cash benefit system has been radically overhauled, benefiting low‐income families with children, whether or not parents are working. Early indications suggest a more rapid fall in child poverty in the United Kingdom since its reforms began than in the United States since its reforms, and a faster rise in single‐mother employment. © 2004 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
“Just give me a number!” Practical values for the social discount rate
Authors: Moore Mark A. , Boardman Anthony E. , Vining Aidan R. , Weimer David L. , Greenberg David H. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractA major reason the quality of cost‐benefit analysis (CBA) varies widely is inconsistent use of the social discount rate (SDR). This article offers guidance about the choice of the SDR. Namely, we recommend the following procedures: If the project is intragenerational (does not have effects beyond 50 years) and there is no crowding out of private investment, then discount all flows at 3.5 percent; if the project is intragenerational and there is some crowding out of investment, then weight investment flows by the shadow price of capital of 1.1 and then discount at 3.5 percent; if the project is intergenerational and there is no crowding out of investment, then use a time‐declining scale of discount rates; if the project is intergenerational and investment is crowded out, then convert investment flows during the first 50 years to consumption equivalents using a shadow price of 1.1, and then discount all of these flows at 3.5 percent, and discount all flows after the 50th year using time‐declining rates. We then compare current discounting practices of U.S. federal agencies with our estimates. Consistent use of the recommended rates would eliminate arbitrary choices of discount rates and would lead to better public sector decision‐making. © 2004 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Heavy alcohol use and youth suicide: Evidence from tougher drunk driving laws
Authors: Carpenter Christopher 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThis paper uses the widespread variation across states in the timing of adoption of tougher drunk driving laws that set very low legal blood alcohol limits for drivers under age 21—“zero tolerance” (ZT) laws—to provide new evidence on the causal effect of alcohol use on youth suicide. ZT laws reduced heavy episodic drinking by underage men, with no effect for slightly older males. I estimate the reduced form effect of ZT policy adoption on suicide deaths among 15–17‐, 18–20‐, 21–24‐, and 25–29‐year‐old males and females for the period 1981–1998. The models control for macroeconomic conditions, demographic changes, other alcohol control policies, state and year fixed effects, and smooth state trends. Results indicate statistically significant reductions in suicide among young males aged 15–17 and 18–20 associated with adoption of ZT laws on the order of 7 to 10 percent. I find no effects for slightly older males who were unaffected by the tougher drunk driving laws, and no consistent effects for females. These results provide new and compelling evidence that heavy alcohol use causes young male suicide. © 2004 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Are Colombian sickness funds cream skimming enrollees? An analysis with suggestions for policy improvement
Authors: Trujillo Antonio J. , McCalla Dawn C. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractOne of the primary objectives of Colombian social health insurance reform was to increase competition among for‐profit insurers. Unfortunately, the flat capitated formula creates an opportunity for sickness funds to maximize reimbursement gains by “cream skimming”—selecting against unhealthy individuals. This paper explores sickness fund selection behavior to evaluate the efficiency losses associated with the introduction of managed competition in Colombia. Data from a 1997 Colombian household survey are analyzed with a bivariate probit model with partial observability using instrumental variables. The model yields some evidence of sickness fund selection based on health status. Public policy options to discourage risk selection by health status are discussed. © 2004 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Congenital cervical neuroblastoma
Authors: Cardesa‐Salzmann Teresa M. , Mora‐Graupera Jaume , Claret Gemma , Agut Thais 
Published: August 2004

AbstractPrimary congenital cervical neuroblastomas are very rare. A history of upper aerodigestive compromise with Horner syndrome can be of value for the early diagnosis of this lesion. Congenital neuroblastomas usually have a favorable outcome. Like all the other clinically relevant groups of neuroblastomas, management should take into consideration the biological findings of each tumor, which predicts outcome than other clinical findings. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2004;43:785–787. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.