bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulation of the Standing Behavior for Managing Elevated Somatic Cell Count (SCC) in Dairy Cows
Authors: Chetri Dipesh Kumar , Devkota Naba Raj , Basnet Hom B. , Karki Dainik B.
Published: May 2024

Aim: To examine the effect of feed-offer time on standing and lying behaviors to manage Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and reduce risk of subclinical mastitis (SCM) in tie stall dairy cows.
Study Design: Completely Randomized Design (5 treatments × 4 replications)
Place and Duration of the Study: National Cow Research Program, Chitwan, Nepal; from September, 2019 to March, 2020 for 180 days.
Methodology: Twenty SCM-free dairy cows were recruited on different feeding strategies (pre-milking, during milking, and post-milking feeding at varying intervals). Behavioral patterns (lying time, bout frequencies and duration, post-milking standing duration/PMSD) were obtained using pedometer and SCC by autoanalyzer fortnightly. The feeding strategy effect on behavioral outlines and SCC was analyzed for univariate ANOVA by SPSS packages (version 25). The relationship between behavioral patterns and SCC were performed by Pearsons Correlation analysis.
Results: Immediate post-milking feeding (+iPMF) cows showed higher lying time (P=.003) and bout duration (P=.001) while the number of lying bout was higher (P=.001) in pre-milking feeding                     (-10PMF). The PMSD was logged higher (P=.001) in +iPMF than in -10PMF and during-milking feeding cows but was similar with other post-milking feeding groups. Additionally, immediate and 15-minute post-milking feeding (+15PMF) resulted significantly lower SCC at both teat (P=.001, .005) and udder levels (P=.001) and are consistently associated with longer standing time after milking, suggesting decreased risk of SCM. Furthermore, post-milking standing duration showed significant but negative relationship with SCC of fore teats (P=.001; r=-0.26) and at udder level (P=.001; r=-0.298) while it was negative and non-significant with hind teats (r=-0.09 in LH and r=-0.06 in RH).
Conclusion: Post-milking feeding strategies, +iPMF and +15PMF, have the potential to improve dairy cow welfare and udder health by modulating behavioral patterns and reducing SCC. Further research is needed to optimize management practices for maximizing dairy cow welfare and udder health.
Phytochemical and Antioxidant Investigations of Extracts from the Leaves of Macaranga heterophylla (Müll. Arg.) (Euphorbiaceae), A Medicinal Species used in Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: N’cho Aguié Guy-Rodolphe , N’gaman-Kouassi Kohué Christelle Chantal , N’guessan Benoit Banga , Sarkodie Joseph Adusei , Adi-Dako Ofosua , Mamyrbekova-Békro Janat Akhanovna , Békro Yves-Alain
Published: May 2024

Aims: This work aims to investigate the phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential of the leaves of Macaranga heterophylla.
Methodology: For this purpose, phytochemical screening by detection tests and thin layer chromatography (TLC), determination of total phenols content, total flavonoids content and condensed tannins content, and assessment of antioxidant potential by DPPH and reducing power tests were carried out on aqueous crude extracts, ethanolic crude extracts and selective extracts of the leaves of M. heterophylla.
Results: The percentage yields obtained with ethanol (70%) (28.90 and 24.70% for the ethanolic decoction and ethanolic macerate respectively) are higher than those obtained with water (24.30 and 21.10% for the aqueous decoction and aqueous macerate respectively). The phytochemical screening highlighted the presence of several phytochemical families such as phenolic compounds (coumarins, flavones, tannins), quinones, sterols and polyterpenes, saponosides, glycosides, cardiotonic glycosides and oligosaccharides. Quantitative analysis of total phenolics, total flavonoids and proanthocyanidols showed that their respective levels in the leaves of M. heterophylla varied depending on the solvent and the extraction technique. Concerning total phenolics, the aqueous decoction and ethanolic macerate gave the best total phenol contents (129.04 ± 9.53 and 119.82 ± 2.63 mg EAG/g DM respectively); for total flavonoids, the aqueous decoction gave the best content (33.03 ± 1.61 mg EQ/g DM), while for condensed tannins, the aqueous macerate gave the best content (0.87 ± 0.02 mg ECT/g DM). With regard to DPPH antioxidant activity, the results showed that the ethanolic decoction has more pronounced antioxidant activity than the aqueous decoction, while the aqueous macerate showed better antioxidant activity than the ethanolic macerate. Concerning the reducing power test, the opposite trend was observed.
Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that M. heterophylla is a concentrate of secondary metabolites with antioxidant properties, which would explain its use in traditional medicinal practice.
Effect of Different Sources of Nitrogen and Bio Fertilizers on Growth, Yield and Quality of Cherry Tomato [Solanum lycopersicum L.) Var. Cerasiforme] in Polyhouse Conditions
Authors: Peeyush . , Bahadur Vijay
Published: May 2024

The present investigation was carried out at Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Naini, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh during the Kharif-2022 with a view to identify the effect of different sources of nitrogen and bio fertilizers on growth, yield and quality of cherry tomato” [Solanum lycopersicum L.) var. cerasiforme] in polyhouse conditions. The experiment was laid in Randomized block design (RBD) with 9 treatments and 3 replications with different combination in RDF and application of organic nutrition.  Under this experiment, overall, 10 treatment were taken. From the above experimental finding it may be concluded that the treatment T9 (75% N through urea + 25% N through FYM + Azotobacter (4 kg ha-1) + PSB (4 Kg ha-1) was found to be best in the terms of growth parameters like highest plant height (283.35 cm) at 120 DAT, maximum number of branches per plant (72.33 branches) at 120 DAT. In terms of earliness, it was found to have minimum days to attain 50% flowering (55.93 DAT). In terms of yield T9 had highest number of fruits per cluster (5.57 fruits), and fruit yield per hectare (25.88 t ha-1).
An Investigation of Psychological Services of Mental Health of Student’s in Uzbekistan: A Critical Evaluation
Authors: Yunusovich Akhrorov Voris , Khan Azizuddin
Published: May 2024

Mental health has become an important issue among students throughout the world especially after Covid-19. The present study is an attempt to investigate psychological services among students in higher educational institutions in Uzbekistan. The study also aimed to identify and assess psychological services of mental health in students in Uzbekistan.  The study analysed the current state of the activities of psychological services aimed at ensuring the psychological health of students of higher educational institutions, as well as the introduction of the activities of psychological services in the system of higher education. The study also explored and assessed issues and problems of existing psychological services for mental health among students in higher education. To eliminate these problems, a model and description of improving the activities of psychological services in higher educational institutions are given, and conclusions and suggestions are presented.
TEORIA DAS CAPACIDADES JURÍDICAS ANIMAIS
Authors: ATAIDE JUNIOR VICENTE DE PAULA , FERNANDES LIMA YURI
Published: May 2024

O artigo propõe uma teoria dogmática para discriminar os direitos dos animais nãohumanos, de acordo com as suas capacidades jurídicas atribuídas pelo ordenamento jurídico brasileiro. Partindo do pressuposto que, pela lei brasileira, animais são sujeitos de direitos desprovidos de personalidade jurídica, classificam-se os animais em três níveis, a partir dos direitos que os membros de cada um deles possui, utilizando-se, como critério de distribuição, a atribuição normativa do direito à vida. Assim, analisando-se fontes normativas e jurisprudenciais nacionais, apresenta as características dos níveis de capacidade jurídica plena, de capacidade jurídica plena reduzível e de capacidade jurídica reduzida, apontados os grupos de animais que pertencem a cada nível. Na sequência, analisa dois temas decorrentes dos níveis de capacidade jurídica animal: a capacidade de fato dos animais e a sua representação legal. A teoria das capacidades jurídicas animais, muito embora seja dogmática, não deixa de antever possibilidades mais emancipatórias para os animais no futuro. A conclusão é no sentido de que a sistematização dos direitos animais é indispensável para garantir decisões judiciais mais íntegras e coerentes, de modo a favorecer, racionalmente, a judicialização do Direito Animal, como forma de inclusão desses seres vivos em uma comunidade moral mais ampla. A metodologia empregada na pesquisa foi a dedutiva, a partir do levantamento bibliográfico sobre os temas relacionados à problemática levantada pelo ensaio.
Reoviruses
Authors: Coombs Kevin M
Published: February 2011

Reoviruses are infectious agents, transmitted by respiratory and faecal – oral routes. The mammalian reoviruses (MRV) are the prototypic viruses of a large group of infectious agents, many of which are highly pathogenic to their natural hosts, although the MRV are not significant human pathogens. The MRV are distinguished by having a genome of 10 segments of double‐stranded
ribonucleic acid
(dsRNA) that is located inside a double‐layered, spherical nonenveloped protein capsid. The capsid is incompletely uncoated during viral replication and the inner capsid (core) serves as an enzymatic ‘machine’ producing progeny mRNA. The virus is being studied as a potential anticancer oncolytic therapy. The virus is also quite stable and therefore is useful as a ‘bio‐indicator’ for assessing water quality and wastewater disinfection.

Key Concepts:

The reoviruses have served as models for understanding biology of double‐stranded RNA and RNA transcription signals.

Mammalian reoviruses are ubiquitous in nature and virtually all mammalian species are infected by these agents.

Reoviruses have a segmented genome and different genome segments from different virus types can mix to create hybrid progeny viruses called ‘reassortants’.

Although most family members are highly pathogenic in their natural hosts, mammalian reoviruses are generally harmless to humans.

Because the viruses are generally harmless, and because they are unusually stable, they serve beneficially as anticancer agents and for monitoring water and wastewater disinfection.
Repetitive Elements: Bioinformatic Identification, Classification and Analysis
Authors: Jurka Jerzy , Bao Weidong , Kojima Kenji , Kapitonov Vladimir V
Published: February 2011

Multicopy, or repetitive,
deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA) is routinely being detected and analysed by computer‐assisted comparison of genomic DNA with reference databases of repeats. The most representative collection of repetitive elements is ‘Repbase Update’ (RU), which currently contains >15 000 unique entries from diverse eukaryotic species. The majority of transposable elements (TEs) in RU are consensus sequences based on multiple alignments of individual repeats. Consensus sequences are approximations of active TEs responsible for generating multiple mutated copies in the genome. The current two major repeat detection and annotation programs, RepeatMasker and CENSOR, both use RU for annotation of repeats in eukaryotic genomes. RU is also increasingly being used as a master reference library to create custom libraries for detection of repeats in newly sequenced genomes. Finally, a combination of different routines can be used to detect repeats not similar to those already present in the reference libraries (

de novo

approach).

Key Concepts:

Active transposable elements (TEs) produce families and subfamilies of multiple copies in the genome, called ‘interspersed repetitive elements’ or ‘repeats’.

Consensus sequences derived from aligned families and subfamilies of repeats are excellent approximations of the active TEs from which they were derived.

Consensus sequences are also preferred reference sequences used in screening and annotation of repetitive elements, especially the most divergent ones.

RepeatMasker and CENSOR are basic repeat screening and annotation programs using reference sequence libraries.

In the absence of reference sequences, repetitive DNA can be detected by screening for multiple copies and characteristic structural features (
de novo
approach).
Comparative Genomics of the Major Chemosensory Gene Families in Arthropods
Authors: Sánchez‐Gracia Alejandro , Vieira Filipe G , Almeida Francisca C , Rozas Julio
Published: February 2011

Chemoreception is the most important sense for the survival and reproduction of most animal species. In insects, the principal proteins involved in the recognition of chemical cues comprise moderately sized, multigene families. These families include (i) odorant‐binding (OBPs) and chemosensory (CSPs) proteins, which are involved in peripheral olfactory processing; (ii) the chemoreceptor super‐family, formed by the olfactory (OR) and gustatory (GR) receptors; and (iii) the ionotropic receptors (IR), a variant class of ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluR). Recent comparative genomic analyses of fully sequenced arthropod genomes support the birth‐and‐death model as the major evolutionary mechanism in determining the chemosensory repertoire size, and provide evidence of adaptive changes fostered by ecological shifts that might influence the current size of chemosensory families. These studies also advocate for the origin of olfactory gene families with the evolution of terrestriality in insects.

Key Concepts:

The chemosensory system mediates the detection of food, predators and mates, eliciting feeding behaviours and innate sexual and reproductive responses.

In arthropods, the most important proteins involved in the recognition of chemical cues comprise moderately sized multigene families.

The chemosensory system of arthropods relies on transmembrane receptors (OR, GR and IR gene families) and small globular proteins (OBP and CSP families).

The number of chemosensory genes is similar across the
Drosophila
genus, with little variation in the gene number among species.

New OBP and CSP genes appear by gene duplication in extant chromosomal clusters, and diverge independently from each other.

An unexpectedly high number of gene gains and losses occurred in the evolution of chemosensory families during the 40–60 Myr of divergence of the
Drosophila
genus.

The chemosensory families in insects evolve under a birth‐and‐death process, with lineage‐specific family size expansions and contractions at large time scale.

The selective constraints on chemosensory genes have varied over the evolution of the
Drosophila
genus, with some cases of positive selection.

Random genomic drift, assisted by eventual adaptation processes, is the principal determinant of the chemosensory family size of arthropods.
Chromatin Recognition Protein Modules: The
PHD
Finger
Authors: Lallous Nada , Ramón‐Maiques Santiago
Published: February 2011

The structure of chromatin controls the accessibility to
deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA) information. Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of histones modify the architecture of chromatin and provide docking platforms for proteins that control many DNA‐templated processes. The plant homeodomain (PHD) fingers are small protein domains found in nuclear factors that interact with chromatin. Recent studies have characterised two classes among the PHD fingers, which specifically bind to either unmodified or trimethylated K4 histone H3. A number of PHD finger structures in complex with histone peptides reveal the recognition mechanisms. The combination of multiple histone PTMs, the cooperation between different PHD fingers or between PHD fingers and other histone recognition proteins illustrate the plurality and versatility of this protein module. Mutations or translocations in PHD fingers that affect their interaction with histones have been related to immunological diseases, cancer or mental retardation.

Key Concepts:

Histone modifications form part of the chromatin control of DNA‐templated processes.

PHD fingers are small nuclear protein domains that bind two zinc ions in an interlaced topology.

Several PHD fingers specifically recognise the di‐ and trimethylated K4 histone H3 tail, and others bind specifically to unmethylated K4 histone H3.

Aromatic cages are cavities formed by the side chains of 2–4 aromatic residues used by PHD fingers and by other protein modules for binding to methylated lysines.

Alterations of the histone recognition by PHD fingers are related to immunological diseases, cancer and mental retardation.
Antioxidants
Authors: Dugo Laura , Negis Yesim , Azzi Angelo
Published: February 2011

In the human body, antioxidant functions (elimination of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS)) are primarily exerted by enzyme systems in cells and tissues or by antioxidant molecules produced by metabolism. A large number of molecules, chemically defined as antioxidants, present in fruits and vegetables (polyphenols, tocopherols and carotenoids) are provided with the property of delaying or inhibiting oxidations. They can exhibit additional functions such as of ligands to macromolecules (receptors, enzymes, etc.). The

in vitro

properties of antioxidants may not be present

in vivo

, if the antioxidant is not absorbed, or if it is modified, if it is inactivated or rapidly eliminated. Antioxidants may scavenge ROS in excess that can damage cell components, such as
deoxyribonucleic acid
, proteins, lipids and low‐molecular weight compounds. However, because ROS represent physiological components of cell metabolism and are used for cell signalling, antioxidants may interfere with physiological cell signalling. Although epidemiological studies have suggested a positive health impact of antioxidants present in fruits and vegetables, human interventions with antioxidants have not given till now encouraging results.

Key Concepts:

Antioxidants are a broad, heterogeneous group of chemicals provided with the property delaying or inhibiting oxidations.

Antioxidant functions are also exerted by enzyme systems, physiologically present in cells and tissues.

Antioxidants may possess properties additional to their redox reactivity.

A clear distinction should be made between
in vitro
and
in vivo
properties of antioxidants, because
in vivo
chemical antioxidants may be inactivated, modified or exhibit different, additional properties.

Reactive oxygen species are present as physiological components of cell metabolism and are used for cell signalling.

Reactive oxygen species in excess can damage cell components, such as DNA, proteins, lipids and low‐molecular weight compounds, and be the cause of disease.

Antioxidants may on one side prevent the damage produced by excess oxidants, but they may also interfere with the physiological signalling produced by reactive oxygen species.

Epidemiological studies have suggested a positive health impact of antioxidants present in fruits and vegetables.

Human interventions with antioxidants have not given till now encouraging results.
Dynamic Programming Via Linear Programming
Authors: Büyüktahtakin İSMET Esra
Published: February 2011

Dynamic programming (DP) has been used to solve a wide range of optimization problems. Given that dynamic programs can be equivalently formulated as linear programs, linear programming (LP) offers an efficient alternative to the functional equation approach in solving such problems. LP is also utilized with DP to characterize the polyhedral structure of discrete optimization problems. In this article, we investigate the close relationship between the two traditionally distinct areas of DP and LP.
Wardrop Equilibria
Authors: Correa José R. , Stier‐Moses Nicolás E.
Published: February 2011

Wardrop equilibria are commonly used as a solution concept of network games when modeling transportation and telecommunication networks with congestion. This concept assumes that players select a route that minimizes the time or cost incurred in its traversal. This behavioral assumption admits convenient mathematical descriptions, and efficient algorithms for the computation of equilibria are available. For this reason, planners have been making use of this concept for decades for evaluating projects, optimizing tolls, estimating demands, and a myriad applications arising from extensions of the basic model. In this article, we introduce the basic model, explain strategies for computation of equilibria, and discuss the extent of the inefficiency arising from the selfish behavior of the players. In addition, we provide some generalizations of the basic model.
Bio‐inspired Heterostructured Bead‐on‐String Fibers That Respond to Environmental Wetting
Authors: Tian Xuelin , Bai Hao , Zheng Yongmei , Jiang Lei
Published: February 2011

Inspired by the geometric structure of ecribellate spider capture silk and its spinning characteristics, we propose a one‐step electrohydrodynamic method to fabricate bead‐on‐string heterostructured fibers (BSHFs). By combining electrospinning and electrospraying strategies using a sprayable outer fluid with low viscosity and a spinnable inner fluid with high viscosity in a coaxial jetting process, hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) beads are successfully imprinted on a hydrophobic polystyrene string. It is demonstrated that the BSHFs are capable of intelligently responding to environmental change. With a change in relative humidity, the fibers show a segmented swelling and shrinking behavior in the “bead” parts whereas the “string” parts remain the same. The elastic BSHFs with alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic surface characteristics represent a type of mesoscale analogues that block copolymers and may bring about new properties and applications. Moreover, the combined electrohydrodynamic approach developed herein should open new routes to multifunctional one‐dimensional heterostructured materials.
Nanostructured Organic and Hybrid Solar Cells
Authors: Weickert Jonas , Dunbar Ricky B. , Hesse Holger C. , Wiedemann Wolfgang , Schmidt‐Mende Lukas
Published: February 2011

This Progress Report highlights recent developments in nanostructured organic and hybrid solar cells. The authors discuss novel approaches to control the film morphology in fully organic solar cells and the design of nanostructured hybrid solar cells. The motivation and recent results concerning fabrication and effects on device physics are emphasized. The aim of this review is not to give a summary of all recent results in organic and hybrid solar cells, but rather to focus on the fabrication, device physics, and light trapping properties of nanostructured organic and hybrid devices.
Hydro(trispyrazolyl)borato‐Ruthenium(II) Diphosphinoamino Complex‐Catalyzed Addition of β‐Diketones to 1‐Alkynes and Anti‐Markovnikov Addition of Secondary Amines to Aromatic 1‐Alkynes
Authors: Cheung Hung Wai , So Chau Ming , Pun Kwok Hung , Zhou Zhongyuan , Lau Chak Po
Published: February 2011

The hydro(trispyrazolyl)borato‐ruthenium(II) diphosphinoamino complex TpRu[4‐CF3C6H4N(PPh2)2](OTf) (I) [Tp=hydro(trispyrazolyl)borate] catalyzes the Markovnikov addition of β‐diketones to unactivated 1‐alkynes in good to excellent yields. The reaction proceeds under solvent‐free and additive‐free conditions and the catalyst loading can be reduced down to 0.4 mol%. Complex I (1 mol%) also catalyzes the addition of secondary amines to aromatic terminal alkynes, unusual anti‐Markovnikov products are exclusively formed.
An Efficient Diphosphine/Hybrid‐Amine Combination for Ruthenium(II)‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Aryl Ketones
Authors: Li Yuehui , Zhou Yougui , Shi Qixun , Ding Kuiling , Noyori Ryoji , Sandoval Christian A.
Published: February 2011

Readily available and modular hybrid amine/benzimidazole‐based 1H‐benzimidazole‐2‐methanamine (BIMA) ligands in combination with 2,3‐O‐isopropylidene‐2,3‐dihydroxy‐1,4‐bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (DIOP) afford efficient catalytic systems for the ruthenium(II)‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation (AH) of a number of aryl ketones. The AH proceeds smoothly with substrate‐to‐catalyst (S/C) molar ratios of up to 100,000 (TOF of 6500 h−1, 8 atm) giving chiral alcohols in up to 99% ee.
An Easy, Stereoselective Synthesis of Hexahydroisoindol‐4‐ones under Phosphine Catalysis
Authors: Duvvuru Deepti , Betzer Jean‐François , Retailleau Pascal , Frison Gilles , Marinetti Angela
Published: February 2011

A new synthetic approach to hexahydroisoindol‐4‐ones is reported, based on the formal [3+2] cyclization reaction between N‐arylsulfonylimines and cyclic conjugated dienes, under phosphine catalysis. Key substrates are 3‐vinylcyclohex‐2‐enones with electron‐withdrawing substituents (ester, amido, cyano, phosphoryl and keto groups) on the exocyclic double bond, which afford the three‐atom synthons for the construction of the pyrroline ring. Total syn stereoselectivity is observed in these annulations. The scope of the reaction has been demonstrated and mechanistic issues are considered, based on deuteration experiments and density function theory (DFT) calculations.
Work‐related asthma in health care in Ontario
Authors: Liss Gary M. , Buyantseva Larisa , Luce Carol E. , Ribeiro Marcos , Manno Michael , Tarlo Susan M.
Published: February 2011

Background

The health of workers in health care has been neglected in the past. There are few reports regarding occupational asthma (OA) in this group, and work‐exacerbated asthma (WEA) has rarely been considered.

Methods

We examined the frequency of claims for OA and WEA allowed by the compensation board in Ontario, Canada for which industry was coded as “health care” between 1998 and 2002, to determine the frequency of OA and WEA, causative agents, and occupations.

Results

During this period, five claims were allowed for sensitizer OA, two for natural rubber latex (NRL), and three for glutaraldehyde/photographic chemicals. The two NRL cases occurred in nurses who had worked for >10 years prior to “date of accident.” There were 115 allowed claims for WEA; health care was the most frequent industry for WEA. Compared to the rest of the province, claims in health care made up a significantly greater proportion of WEA claims (17.8%) than OA (5.1%) (odds ratio, 4.1, 95% CI 1.6–11.6;P = 0.002). The rate of WEA claims was 2.1 times greater than that in the rest of the workforce (P < 0.0001). WEA claims occurred in many jobs (e.g., clerk), other than “classic” health care jobs such as nurses, and were attributed to a variety of agents such as construction dust, secondhand smoke, and paint fumes.

Conclusions

WEA occurs frequently in this industrial sector. Those affected and attributed agents include many not typically expected in health care. The incidence of OA claims in this sector in general was low; the continued low number of OA claims due to NRL is consistent with the successful interventions for prevention. Am. J. Ind. Med. 54:278–284, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stiffness of photocrosslinked RGD‐alginate gels regulates adipose progenitor cell behavior
Authors: Chandler Emily M. , Berglund Caroline M. , Lee Jason S. , Polacheck William J. , Gleghorn Jason P. , Kirby Brian J. , Fischbach Claudia
Published: February 2011

Adipose progenitor cells (APCs) are widely investigated for soft tissue reconstruction following tumor resection; however, the long‐term success of current approaches is still limited. In order to develop clinically relevant therapies, a better understanding of the role of cell–microenvironment interactions in adipose tissue regeneration is essential. In particular, the effect of extracellular matrix (ECM) mechanics on the regenerative capability of APCs remains to be clarified. We have used artificial ECMs based on photocrosslinkable RGD‐alginate to investigate the adipogenic and pro‐angiogenic potential of 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes as a function of matrix stiffness. These hydrogels allowed us to decouple matrix stiffness from changes in adhesion peptide density or extracellular Ca2+ concentration and provided a physiologically relevant 3D culture context. Our findings suggest that increased matrix rigidity promotes APC self‐renewal and angiogenic capacity, whereas, it inhibits adipose differentiation. Collectively, this study advances our understanding of the role of ECM mechanics in adipose tissue formation and vascularization and will aid in the design of efficacious biomaterial scaffolds for adipose tissue engineering applications. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2011; 108:1683–1692. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Palladium(II)‐Mediated Assembly of Biotinylated Ion Channels
Authors: Wilson Craig P. , Boglio Cécile , Ma Long , Cockroft Scott L. , Webb Simon J.
Published: February 2011

Simple synthetic methodology has been used to create biotinylated pyridyl cholate lipids that can undergo multiple self‐assembly events when inserted into phospholipid vesicles; PdII links cholates into transmembrane lipids, while avidin laterally clusters these complexes together and concomitantly assembles the vesicles into aggregates. The transmembrane assembly of cholates by PdII “opened” the ion channels, whereas avidin addition produced vesicle aggregates, giving a system that mimicked both transmembrane transport and cellular adhesion. Complexation of these PdII‐linked cholates by avidin gave a measurable decrease in ion flow, suggesting some channels became blocked or were prevented from adopting the optimum geometry for ion conduction. This reflects the importance of spatially appropriate preorganisation when generating active supramolecular assemblies.
Surface Chemistry in the Process of Coating Mesoporous SiO2 onto Carbon Nanotubes Driven by the Formation of SiOC Bonds
Authors: Paula Amauri J. , Stéfani Diego , Souza Filho Antonio G. , Kim Yoong Ahm , Endo Morinobu , Alves Oswaldo L.
Published: February 2011

The deposition of mesoporous silica (SiO2) on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has opened up a wide range of assembling possibilities by exploiting the sidewall of CNTs and organosilane chemistry. The resulting systems may be suitable for applications in catalysis, energy conversion, environmental chemistry, and nanomedicine. However, to promote the condensation of silicon monomers on the nanotube without producing segregated particles, (OR)4−xSiOxx− units must undergo nucleophilic substitution by groups localized on the CNT sidewall during the transesterification reaction. In order to achieve this preferential attachment, we have deposited silica on oxidized carbon nanotubes (single‐walled and multiwalled) in a sol–gel process that also involved the use of a soft template (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTAB). In contrast to the simple approach normally used to describe the attachment of inorganic compounds on CNTs, SiO2 nucleation on the tube is a result of nucleophilic attack mainly by hydroxyl radicals, localized in a very complex surface chemical environment, where various oxygenated groups are covalently bonded to the sidewall and carboxylated carbonaceous fragments (CCFs) are adsorbed on the tubes. SiOC covalent bond formation in the SiO2–CNT hybrids was observed even after removal of the CCFs with sodium hydroxide. By adding CTAB, and increasing the temperature, time, and initial amount of the catalyst (NH4OH) in the synthesis, the SiO2 coating morphology could be changed from one of nanoparticles to mesoporous shells. Concomitantly, pore ordering was achieved by increasing the amount of CTAB. Furthermore, preferential attachment on the sidewall results mostly in CNTs with uncapped ends, having sites (carboxylic acids) that can be used for further localized reactions.
Exciton‐Coupled Charge‐Transfer Dynamics in a Porphyrin J‐Aggregate/TiO2 Complex
Authors: Verma Sandeep , Ghosh Amrita , Das Amitava , Ghosh Hirendra N.
Published: February 2011

Exciton‐coupled charge‐transfer (CT) dynamics in TiO2 nanoparticles (NP) sensitized with porphyrin J‐aggregates has been studied by femtosecond time‐resolved transient absorption spectroscopy. J‐aggregates of 5,10,15‐triphenyl‐20‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl) porphyrin (TPPcat) form CT complexes on TiO2 NP surfaces. Catechol‐mediated strong CT coupling between J‐aggregate and TiO2 NP facilitates interfacial exciton dissociation for electron injection into the conduction band of the TiO2 nanoparticle in pulse width limited time (<80 fs). Here, the electron‐transfer (<80 fs) process dominates over the intrinsic exciton‐relaxation process (J‐aggregates: ca. 200 fs) on account of exciton‐coupled CT interaction. The parent hole on J‐aggregates is delocalized through J‐aggregate excitonic coherence. As a result, holes immobilized on J‐aggregates are spatially less accessible to electrons injected into TiO2, and thus the back electron transfer (BET) process is slower than that of the monomer/TiO2 system. The J‐aggregate/porphyrin system shows exciton spectral and temporal properties for better charge separation in strongly coupled composite systems.
Coupled Crystallographic Order–Disorder and Spin State in a Bistable Molecule: Multiple Transition Dynamics
Authors: Craig Gavin A. , Sánchez Costa José , Roubeau Olivier , Teat Simon J. , Aromí Guillem
Published: February 2011

A novel bispyrazolylpyridine ligand incorporating lateral phenol groups, H4L, has led to an FeII spin‐crossover (SCO) complex, [Fe(H4L)2][ClO4]2⋅H2O⋅2 (CH3)2CO (1), with an intricate network of intermolecular interactions. It exhibits a 40 K wide hysteresis of magnetization as a result of the spin transition (with T0.5 of 133 and 173 K) and features an unsymmetrical and very rich structure. The latter is a consequence of the coupling between the SCO and the crystallographic transformations. The high‐spin state may also be thermally trapped, exhibiting a very large TTIESST (≈104 K). The structure of 1 has been determined at various temperatures after submitting the crystal to different processes to recreate the key points of the hysteresis cycle and thermal trapping; 200 K, cooled to 150 K and trapped at 100 K (high spin, HS), slowly cooled to 100 K and warmed to 150 K (low spin, LS). In the HS state, the system always exhibits disorder for some components (one ClO4− and two acetone molecules) whereas the LS phases show a relative ≈9 % reduction in the FeN bond lengths and anisotropic contraction of the unit cell. Most importantly, in the LS state all the species are always found to be ordered. Therefore, the bistability of crystallographic order–disorder coupled to SCO is demonstrated here experimentally for the first time. The variation in the cell parameters in 1 also exhibits hysteresis. The structural and magnetic thermal variations in this compound are paralleled by changes in the heat capacity as measured by differential scanning calorimetry. Attempts to simulate the asymmetric SCO behaviour of 1 by using an Ising‐like model underscore the paramount role of dynamics in the coupling between the SCO and the crystallographic transitions.
PAX8 is expressed in pancreatic well‐differentiated neuroendocrine tumors and in extrapancreatic poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas in fine‐needle aspiration biopsy specimens
Authors: Haynes Claudia M. , Sangoi Ankur R. , Pai Reetesh K.
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND:

PAX (paired box) genes encode a family of transcription factors important for organogenesis. Recently, PAX8 has been recognized as a potential immunohistochemical marker of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. The authors evaluated PAX8 expression in fine‐needle aspiration biopsies of neuroendocrine tumors to establish whether PAX8 immunohistochemistry can be used as an ancillary marker of pancreatic origin for neuroendocrine tumors.

METHODS:

Fine‐needle aspiration biopsies from 72 neuroendocrine tumors were evaluated for PAX8 expression: 32 primary and 23 metastatic well‐differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (25 pancreatic, 13 pulmonary, 3 ileal, 2 duodenal, 1 rectal, 1 ovarian, and 10 primary site unknown) and 17 poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (11 pulmonary, 1 pancreas, 1 breast, 1 thymus, and 3 primary site unknown).

RESULTS:

Among well‐differentiated neuroendocrine tumors, only tumors from the pancreas were PAX8 positive (14 of 25, 56%) whereas no cases of pulmonary (0 of 13), ileal (0 of 3), duodenal (0 of 2), rectal (0 of 1), or ovarian (0 of 1) well‐differentiated neuroendocrine tumors were positive for PAX8. One of 10 (10%) well‐differentiated neuroendocrine tumors of unknown primary origin was PAX8 positive. Among poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas, PAX8 expression was identified in 1 of 1 (100%) pancreatic, 1 of 1 (100%) thymic, 4 of 11 (36%) pulmonary, and 0 of 1 (0%) breast carcinomas. One of 3 (33%) poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas of unknown primary origin was PAX8 positive.

CONCLUSIONS:

Pancreatic well‐differentiated neuroendocrine tumors frequently express PAX8, which can help distinguish pancreatic primary tumors from tumors of other anatomic sites. In contrast, PAX8 expression in poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas is not specific for pancreatic origin and can be seen in extrapancreatic poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society
Elastic management of web server clusters on distributed virtual infrastructures
Authors: Moreno‐Vozmediano Rafael , Montero Ruben S. , Llorente Ignacio M.
Published: February 2011

Cluster‐based solutions are being widely adopted for implementing flexible, scalable, low‐cost and high‐performance web server platforms. One of the main difficulties to implement these platforms is the correct dimensioning of the cluster size, so as to satisfy variable and peak demand periods. In this context, virtualization is being adopted by many organizations as a solution not only to provide service elasticity, but also to consolidate server workloads, and improve server utilization rates. A virtualized web server can be dynamically adapted to the client demands by deploying new virtual nodes when the demand increases, and powering off and consolidating virtual nodes during periods of low demand. Furthermore, the resources from the in‐house infrastructure can be complemented with a cloud provider (cloud bursting), so that peak demand periods can be satisfied by deploying cluster nodes in the external cloud, on an on‐demand basis. In this paper, we analyze the scalability of hybrid virtual infrastructures for two different distributed web server cluster implementations: a simple web cluster serving static files and a multi‐tier web server platform running the CloudStone benchmark. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How Förster Resonance Energy Transfer Imaging Improves the Understanding of Protein Interaction Networks in Cancer Biology
Authors: Fruhwirth Gilbert O. , Fernandes Luis P. , Weitsman Gregory , Patel Gargi , Kelleher Muireann , Lawler Katherine , Brock Adrian , Poland Simon P. , Matthews Daniel R. , Kéri György , Barber Paul R. , Vojnovic Borivoj , Ameer‐Beg Simon M. , Coolen Anthony C. C. , Fraternali Franca , Ng Tony
Published: February 2011

Herein we discuss how FRET imaging can contribute at various stages to delineate the function of the proteome. Therefore, we briefly describe FRET imaging techniques, the selection of suitable FRET pairs and potential caveats. Furthermore, we discuss state‐of‐the‐art FRET‐based screening approaches (underpinned by protein interaction network analysis using computational biology) and preclinical intravital FRET‐imaging techniques that can be used for functional validation of candidate hits (nodes and edges) from the network screen, as well as measurement of the efficacy of perturbing these nodes/edges by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and/or small molecule‐based approaches.
Direct examination of chromosomal clustering of organ‐specific genes in the chordate Ciona intestinalis
Authors: Shoguchi Eiichi , Hamada Mayuko , Fujie Manabu , Satoh Nori
Published: February 2011

One of challenges in the field of developmental biology is to understand how spatially and/or temporally coordinated expression of genes is controlled at the chromosomal level. It remains controversial whether genes expressed in a given tissue are randomly distributed throughout a given animal genome, or instead resolve into clusters. Here we used microarray analysis to identify more than 1,700 genes that are expressed preferentially in each of 11 organs of the chordate Ciona intestinalis adult, and determined the location of these genes on the 14 pairs of Ciona chromosomes. In spite of extensive mapped gene analysis, we only confirmed small clusters containing two or three genes. Our result indicates that organ‐specific genes are distributed rather evenly all over chromosomes, suggesting that the notion of clustering of organ‐specific genes in animal genomes is not generally applicable to this chordate. genesis 49:662–672, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characteristic Analysis of a Micro DC‐DC Converter for Portable Electronic Devices and an Improvement of Transient Response Characteristic
Authors: Sugahara Satoshi , Yamada Kouhei , Nishio Haruhiko , Edo Masaharu , Sato Toshiro , Yamasawa Kiyohito
Published: February 2011

This paper describes the characteristic analysis of a micro DC‐DC converter which integrates inductor, controller and switching devices, and the improvement of the transient response characteristic. The steady‐state operation and the efficiency characteristics of the micro DC‐DC converter are presented as experimental data. The static characteristics are theoretically analyzed with consideration of the DC current characteristics of the inductor. The load transient response characteristics of the micro DC‐DC converter are also analyzed experimentally and theoretically. In addition, the factors responsible for the overshoot and undershoot of the output voltage when the load changes are discussed. Finally, a clamp circuit for reducing the overshoot and undershoot of the output voltage when the load changes is proposed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 175(3): 56–64, 2011; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21081
Crystal Structures and Conductivities of Two Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Complexes Based on Poly‐Keggin‐Anion Chains
Authors: Wei Mei‐Lin , Zhuang Peng‐Fei , Li Hui‐Hua , Yang Yun‐Hui
Published: February 2011

Two proton‐conducting organic–inorganic hybrid complexes have been constructed by the self‐assembly of protonated water clusters, transition‐metal aqua ions, [PMo12O40]3– anions and isonicotinic acid N‐oxide (HINO). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses at 293 K revealed that both complexes presented exactly the same three‐dimensional supramolecular framework built from non‐covalent interactions. Interestingly, the [PMo12O40]3– anions self‐assembled into poly‐Keggin‐anion chains in the supramolecular frameworks. Thermogravimetric analyses showed no weight loss for either system in the temperature range of 20–100 °C, which indicates that none of the water molecules in the unit structure are easily lost below 100 °C. Surprisingly, the proton conductivities of 1 and 2 in the temperature range of 85–100 °C under 98 % relative humidity reached good proton conductivities of 10–3 S cm–1. A possible mechanism for the proton conduction in accord with experimental results is proposed.
Synthesis, Structure and Bactericide Activity of (Aminophosphane)gold(I) Thiolate Complexes
Authors: Fillat María F. , Gimeno M. Concepción , Laguna Antonio , Latorre Encarnación , Ortego Lourdes , Villacampa M. Dolores
Published: February 2011

Reaction of the aminophosphane ligands 2‐(diphenylphosphanylamino)pyridine (Ph2PNHpy, 1) and 3‐(diphenylphosphanylamino)‐1,2,4‐triazole [Ph2PNH(Htrz), 2] with the gold(I) compound [AuCl(tht)] (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) gave the complexes [AuCl(Ph2PNHpy)] (3) and [AuCl{Ph2PNH(Htrz)}] (4), respectively. A series of new gold(I) thiolate derivatives were synthesized from the reactions of complex 3 or 4 with 1 equiv. of a deprotonated thiol ligand. Complexes [Au(SR)(PPh2NHpy)] (5–8) were prepared by reaction of complex 3 with the corresponding thiol HSR [HSR = 2‐mercaptopyridine (2‐HSpy), 2‐mercaptonicotinic acid (2‐H2‐mna), 2‐thiouracil (2‐HTU) or 2‐thiocytosine (2‐HTC)] in the presence of sodium carbonate or triethylamine. Complexes [Au(SR){PPh2NH(Htrz)}] (9–11) were prepared by the treatment of complex 4 with triethylamine and the respective thiol HSR [HSR = 2‐mercaptopyridine (2‐HSpy), 2‐thiocytosine (2‐HTC) or 6‐thioguanine (6‐HTG)]. The susceptibility of Enterococcus faecalis ATCC25923, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29213 and Escherichia coli TG1 towards the synthesized gold(I) complexes was evaluated. Some of them exhibit powerful anti‐bacterial activity, being more efficient against Gram‐positive microorganisms. Complexes 7–9 and 11 present excellent activity against E. faecalis, whereas the highest sensitivity of S. aureus was against complexes 7 and 8. The structures of complexes 4, 5, 8 and 9 were determined by X‐ray structural analysis. None of the four compounds shows aurophilic interactions between the gold(I) centres in the crystals. The four complexes possess intermolecular hydrogen bonds that lead to supramolecular arrangements.
Fatty acids and polar lipid content of cheese and mould‐contaminated cheese
Authors: Schlosser Sonja , Vetter Walter
Published: February 2011

Unintended infestation of food with viable mould irreversibly leads to spoilage of food. However, little data existed on the fatty acid composition and polar lipid content of mould grown on cheese and the potential influence of these parameters in mould‐infested cheese. In this study, we thus focused on the fatty acids composition and polar lipid content of cheese, mould isolated from mould‐infested cheese, as well as inoculation of cheese with cultures of isolated moulds. For this purpose, we stored three cheese samples (gouda, brown cheese, and parmesan) over extended periods in order to force mould infestation from air. The moulds grown on gouda and brown cheese were identified as Penicillium brevicompactum and Penicillium roqueforti, respectively, while a mixed culture was obtained from parmesan. From these contaminated samples, mould spores were isolated and cultivated. Finally, the (pure) cheeses were inoculated with mould spores. Three subsamples, (1) cheeses, (2) moulds isolated from cheese, and (3) cheeses infested with the isolated moulds were studied with regards to their fatty acid distribution in the neutral and the polar lipids. The different amounts of polar lipids of cheese (0.39–2%), moulds (11–30.7%), and mould‐infested cheese (1.5–5%) allowed calculating the mould content of the mould‐infested cheeses.