bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radically Crosslinkable Poly(acrylic acid)s From Poly[(tert‐butyl acrylate)‐co‐(3‐aminopropyl vinyl ether)]: Synthesis and Rheological Properties
Authors: Maier Maximilian , Dollendorf Christian , Ritter Helmut , Klee Joachim E.
Published: October 2012

Acrylic acid copolymers bearing radically polymerizable methacrylic and itaconic moieties are synthesized. Starting from copolymers of tBA and APVE, prepared at different ratios, methacrylic or itaconic amides are obtained via polymer‐analogous reaction. After acidic elimination of isobutylene, polymers with free carbon acids and staggered reactivity can be prepared. Varying amounts of attached acrylamide moieties allow the adjustment of network densities. Rheological properties in HEMA/water matrices during curing are evaluated.
Antibody modified Bovine Serum Albumin microspheres for targeted delivery of anticancer agent Gemcitabine
Authors: Grinberg Olga , Gedanken Aharon , Mukhopadhyay Debabrata , Patra Chitta Ranjan
Published: October 2012

Inhibition of the EGFR signaling pathway is one of the attractive therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer as recent studies demonstrated that EGFR is over‐expressed in pancreatic cancer. In this article we have demonstrated the design of targeted drug delivery system containing Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) microspheres as delivery vehicle, gemcitabine as anticancer drug and anti‐EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) monoclonal antibody as targeting agent. The conjugated BSA microspheres were characterized by several physico‐chemical techniques such as scanning electron microscope, optical microscopy, fluorescent microscopy etc. Administration of these BSA microspheres containing gemcitabine and anti‐EGFR (BSA‐Gem‐EGFR) shows significant inhibition of pancreatic cancer cells (AsPC1) compared to the cells treated with only BSA microspheres, BSA with gemcitabine (BSA‐Gem), and free gemcitabine. This strategy could be used as a generalized approach for the treatment of pancreatic cancer along with other cancers which overexpress EGFR on cell surface. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and photovoltaic properties of main chain polymeric metal complexes containing 1,10‐phenanthroline metal complexes conjugating alkyl fluorene or alkoxy benzene by C═C bridge for dye‐sensitized solar cells
Authors: Jin Xueliang , Deng Jinyan , Wen Gaojun , Yu Xiaoguang , Zhong Chaofan
Published: October 2012

Four main chain polymeric metal complexes (P1–P4) based on 1,10‐phenanthroline metal complexes via the Heck coupling have been synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H NMR, UV–Vis absorption, photoluminescence spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, elemental analysis, and cyclic voltammetry. To investigate their photovoltaic properties, the dye‐sensitized solar cells based on these polymers dyes are studied, under the illumination of AM 1.5G, 100 mW/cm2. The study results show the four polymers exhibit good thermally stable and the solar cells based on them have good device performance, and the maximum power conversion efficiency is up to 0.735% for the solar cells based on P3 with a short‐circuit current (Jsc) of 1.68 mA/cm2 and an open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.62 V. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antidepressant use, serotonin transporter affinity, and reinfarction among patients receiving clopidogrel: a population‐based study
Authors: Fnais Naif , Alshaikh Mashael , Yao Zhan , Gomes Tara , Juurlink David , Mamdani Muhammad
Published: October 2012

Purpose

Conflicting evidence exists regarding the association between antidepressant use and reinfarction among high‐risk cardiovascular patients. Recent evidence suggests that clinical benefit associated with antidepressants may be related to serotonergic activity, suggesting that some antidepressants may offer greater advantages than others.

Methods

We conducted a population‐based nested case–control study among patients aged 66 years or older who commenced clopidogrel between April 1, 2002 and December 31, 2009, following hospital discharge for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Cases were those who were readmitted for AMI, underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or died within 90 days of discharge. Three controls were matched to each case on age, PCI, and the date of hospital discharge. We categorized exposure to antidepressants as current or no use within 120 days before the index date, and the serotonergic activity of antidepressants was further categorized as low, medium, and high according to their affinity for the serotonin transporter.

Results

Among 24 090 patients who received clopidogrel following AMI, we identified 2494 cases. Of these, 2444 (98%) were successfully matched to 7045 controls. After extensive multivariable adjustment, antidepressant use was not associated with lower risk of the composite outcome (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.11 and 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.98–1.27). The absence of association was consistent across the different antidepressant groups categorized by serotonin transporter affinity.

Conclusion

In high‐risk cardiovascular patients with a history of AMI and treated with clopidogrel, antidepressant use is associated with no additional reduction in risk of reinfarction irrespective of serotonin transporter affinity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aptamers and the next generation of diagnostic reagents
Authors: Thiviyanathan Varatharasa , Gorenstein David G.
Published: October 2012

Antibodies have been extensively used as capture and detection reagents in diagnostic applications of proteomics‐based technologies. Proteomic assays need high sensitivity and specificity, a wide dynamic range for detection, and accurate, reproducible quantification with small confidence values. However, several inherent limitations of monoclonal antibodies in meeting the emerging challenges of proteomics led to the development of a new class of oligonucleotide‐based reagents. Natural and derivatized nucleic acid aptamers are emerging as promising alternatives to monoclonal antibodies. Aptamers can be effectively used to simultaneously detect thousands of proteins in multiplex discovery platforms, where antibodies often fail due to cross‐reactivity problems. Through chemical modification, vast range of additional functional groups can be added at any desired position in the oligonucleotide sequence, therefore the best features of small molecule drugs, proteins, and antibodies can be brought together into aptamers, making aptamers the most versatile reagent in proteomics. In this review, we discuss the recent developments in aptamer technology, including new selection methods and the aptamers’ application in proteomics.
Proteomic workflow for analysis of archival formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded clinical samples to a depth of 10 000 proteins
Authors: Wiśniewski Jacek R. , Duś Kamila , Mann Matthias
Published: October 2012

Purpose

Archival formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded clinical samples represent a very diverse source of material for proteomic investigation of diseases, often with follow‐up patient information. Here, we describe an analytical workflow for analysis of laser‐capture microdissected formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded samples that allows studying proteomes to a depth of 10 000 proteins per sample.

Experimental design

The workflow involves lysis of tissue in SDS‐containing buffer, detergent removal, and consecutive digestion of the proteins with two enzymes by the multienzyme digestion filter‐aided sample preparation method. Resulting peptides are fractionated by pipette‐tip based strong anion exchange into six fractions and analyzed by LC‐MS/MS on a bench top quadrupole Orbitrap mass spectrometer.

Results

Analysis of the data using the MaxQuant software resulted in the identification of 9502 ± 28 protein groups per a 110 nL sample of microdissected cells from human colonic adenoma. This depth of proteome analysis enables systemic insights into the organization of the adenoma cells and an estimation of the abundances of known biomarkers. It also allows the identification of proteins expressed from tumor suppressors, oncogenes, and other key players in the development and progression of the colorectal cancer.

Conclusion and clinical relevance

Our proteomic platform can be used for quantitative comparisons between samples representing different stages of diseases and thus can be applied to the discovery of biomarkers or drug targets.
DFT investigation of the influence of ordered vacancies on elastic and magnetic properties of graphene and graphene‐like SiC and BN structures
Authors: Fedorov A. S. , Popov Z. I. , Fedorov D. A. , Eliseeva N. S. , Serjantova M. V. , Kuzubov A. A.
Published: October 2012

Influence of ordered monovacancies on elastic properties of graphene is theoretically investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Inverse linear dependence of the graphene Young's modulus on the concentration of vacancies has been revealed and migration rate of the vacancies has been calculated as a function of applied strain. It is shown that the migration rate can be controlled by applying various strains or temperatures. The influence of ordered monovacancies on magnetic properties of graphene as well as graphene‐like hexagonal carbon silicide (2D‐SiC) and the boron nitride (h‐BN) structures is investigated. It is established that the presence of vacancies in all systems yields the appearance of local magnetic moment. However, in 2D‐SiC structure the magnetic moment occurs only in the case of a Si vacancy. Influence of the distance between vacancies on the ferromagnetic or anti‐ferromagnetic ordering for all structures is established.
Sub‐nanometer thin single walled carbon nanotubes: Nitrogen does the trick
Authors: Kramberger Christian , Thurakitseree Therapool , Maruyama Shigeo
Published: October 2012

The mean diameter of single wall carbon nanotubes grown by chemical vapor deposition is demonstrated to be strongly affected by the relative concentrations of ethanol and acetonitrile in the liquid feedstock. We employ zeolite supported catalyst material which yields ∼1 nm thin nanotubes with pure ethanol. By adding acetonitrile the nanotube diameters can be reduced to ∼0.85 nm. The latter empirical lower bound points at the maximum curvature at which a free nanotube is still energetically favored.
Anisotropic Curie temperature materials
Authors: Armstrong Jason N. , Hua Susan Z. , Chopra Harsh Deep
Published: October 2012

Existence of anisotropic Curie temperature materials [E. R. Callen, Phys. Rev. 124, 1373 (1961); J. Appl. Phys. 32, S221 (1961)] is a longstanding prediction – materials that become paramagnetic at a lower temperature along certain crystal directions while remaining magnetically ordered in other directions up to a higher temperature. Validating Callen's theory, we show that all directions within the basal plane of monoclinic Fe7S8 (pyrrhotite) single crystal remain ordered up to 603 K while the c‐axis becomes paramagnetic at 225 K. Results prompt a re‐evaluation of existing magnetic materials with a focus on magnetic characteristics along different crystal orientations above instead of below the ordering temperatures. Theoretical guidelines for identifying new materials with large anisotropy of Curie temperature are also given, and analysis protocol to characterize them in a self‐consistent manner is discussed. Materials with such a large directional dependence of Curie temperature open the possibility for uniquely new devices and phenomena, including (spin) transport.

magnified image

Anisotropic Curie temperature in pyrrhotite (Fe7S8). Notice the large difference in ordering temperature along basal plane (main graph) relative to the c‐axis (inset).
Adaptive speed tracking control for autonomous land vehicles in all‐terrain navigation: An experimental study
Authors: Wang Jian , Sun Zhenping , Xu Xin , Liu Daxue , Song Jinze , Fang Yuqiang
Published: October 2012

This paper develops a nonparametric controller with an internal model control (IMC) structure for the longitudinal speed tracking control of autonomous land vehicles by designing a proportional and internal model control (IMC) cascade (P‐IMC) controller. An IMC architecture is employed in the inner control loop by establishing a nonparametric longitudinal dynamical model, whereas a P controller is designed for the outer control loop. An approach for estimating the terrain effects and compensating for the model errors is also introduced. The differences from other nonparametric controllers are discussed, and the stability of the P‐IMC controller is analyzed and validated experimentally. The P‐IMC controller is compared with the SpAM+PI to illustrate its advantages. The experimental results of autonomous all‐terrain driving show the effectiveness of the P‐IMC controller.
Role of Neuregulin-1/ErbB Signaling in Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury-Induced Chronic Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Tao Feng , Li Qun , Liu Su , Wu Haiying , Skinner John , Hurtado Andres , Belegu Visar , Furmanski Orion , Yang Ya , McDonald John W. , Johns Roger A.
Published: October 2012

Chronic neuropathic pain is a common and debilitating consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI). In a rat contusion injury model, we observed that chronic neuropathic pain is present on day 7 after SCI and persists for the entire 56-day observation period. However, currently available pain therapies are inadequate for SCI-induced neuropathic pain. In this study, we show that spinal transplantation of mouse embryonic stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) enhances remyelination in the injured spinal cord and reduces SCI-induced chronic neuropathic pain. Moreover, we found that SCI reduces the protein level of neuregulin-1 and ErbB4 in the injured spinal cord and that OPC transplantation enhances the spinal expression of both proteins after SCI. Finally, intrathecal injection of neuregulin-1 small interfering RNA, but not the control nontarget RNA, diminishes OPC transplantation-produced remyelination and reverses the antinociceptive effect of OPC transplantation. Our findings suggest that the transplantation of embryonic stem cell-derived OPCs is an appropriate therapeutic intervention for treatment of SCI-induced chronic neuropathic pain, and that neuregulin-1/ErbB signaling plays an important role in central remyelination under pathological conditions and contributes to the alleviation of such pain.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Endothelial Progenitor Cells Decrease Renal Injury in Experimental Swine Renal Artery Stenosis Through Different Mechanisms
Authors: Zhu Xiang-Yang , Urbieta-Caceres Victor , Krier James D. , Textor Stephen C. , Lerman Amir , Lerman Lilach O.
Published: October 2012

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) augment tissue repair but possess slightly different properties. How the cellular phenotype affects the efficacy of this approach in renovascular disease is incompletely understood. This study tested the hypothesis that EPC and MSC protect the poststenotic kidney by blunting different disease pathways. Peripheral blood EPC and adipose-derived MSC were expanded and characterized by cell surface markers (e.g., CD34/kinase insert domain receptor, or CD44/CD90). Single-kidney hemodynamics and function were assessed in pigs after 10 weeks of renal artery stenosis (RAS) treated 4 weeks earlier with an intrarenal infusion of vehicle (n = 7), EPC (RAS+EPC) or MSC (RAS+MSC) (both 10 × 106, n = 6), and normal controls (n = 7). Kidney disease mechanisms were evaluated ex vivo. The ability of EPC and MSC to attenuate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was also studied in isolated ER and in tubular cells cocultured with EPC and MSC. Glomerular filtration rate in RAS was lower than controls, increased in RAS+EPC, and further improved in RAS+MSC, although both improved renal blood flow similarly. EPC prominently enhanced renal growth factor expression and decreased oxidative stress, while MSC more significantly attenuated renal inflammation, ER stress, and apoptosis. Furthermore, MSC induced a greater decrease in caspase-3 and CHOP expression in cultured tubular cells through mechanisms involving cell contact. EPC and MSC achieve a comparable decrease of kidney injury in RAS by different mechanisms, although MSC elicited slightly superior improvement of renal function. These results support development of cell-based approaches for management of renovascular disease and suggest cell selection based on the underlying pathophysiology of kidney injury.
Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Signaling Is Essential for Normal Mammary Gland Development and Stem Cell Function
Authors: Pond Adam C. , Bin Xue , Batts Torey , Roarty Kevin , Hilsenbeck Susan , Rosen Jeffrey M.
Published: October 2012

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling plays an important role in embryonic stem cells and adult tissue homeostasis, but the function of FGFs in mammary gland stem cells is less well defined. Both FGFR1 and FGFR2 are expressed in basal and luminal mammary epithelial cells (MECs), suggesting that together they might play a role in mammary gland development and stem cell dynamics. Previous studies have demonstrated that the deletion of FGFR2 resulted only in transient developmental defects in branching morphogenesis. Using a conditional deletion strategy, we investigated the consequences of FGFR1 deletion alone and then the simultaneous deletion of both FGFR1 and FGFR2 in the mammary epithelium. FGFR1 deletion using a keratin 14 promoter-driven Cre-recombinase resulted in an early, yet transient delay in development. However, no reduction in functional outgrowth potential was observed following limiting dilution transplantation analysis. In contrast, a significant reduction in outgrowth potential was observed upon the deletion of both FGFR1 and FGFR2 in MECs using adenovirus-Cre. Additionally, using a fluorescent reporter mouse model to monitor Cre-mediated recombination, we observed a competitive disadvantage following transplantation of both FGFR1/R2-null MECs, most prominently in the basal epithelial cells. This correlated with the complete loss of the mammary stem cell repopulating population in the FGFR1/R2-attenuated epithelium. FGFR1/R2-null MECs were partially rescued in chimeric outgrowths containing wild-type MECs, suggesting the potential importance of paracrine mechanisms involved in the maintenance of the basal epithelial stem cells. These studies document the requirement for functional FGFR signaling in mammary stem cells during development.
Architecting technology transitions: A sustainability‐oriented sociotechnical approach
Authors: Davis Kim , Mazzuchi Thomas , Sarkani Shahram
Published: October 2012

Achieving sustainability involves complex processes of technology, people, institutions, and the environment. The sustainability challenge requires a combination of social, political, and technological efforts. This paper discusses processes for technological change in order to meet the sustainability challenge. These complex processes are found to be a suitable application for systems engineering and for systems architecture in particular. Based on a thorough review of the literature, an architecture framework is developed to support management of portfolios of sustainable technology projects. This architecture framework is validated through a case study process, providing enhancements and lessons learned. The full architecture framework construct and associated proposed implementation approaches are presented, demonstrating the need for and applicability of such systems engineering approaches to achieve sustainability. Lessons learned from case studies and development of representative architectures are also described. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 16
Integrated product‐service analysis using SysML requirement diagrams
Authors: Durugbo Christopher
Published: October 2012

During the design of integrated products and services, such as in a product‐service system (PSS), an analysis of specific customer needs and the requirements to fulfil them is an important activity needed to determine value propositions based on the function, use, and result of products. Requirements modeling using the OMG Systems Modeling Language (OMG ™ ) offers a model‐based systems engineering approach to documenting the functionality, performance, and interfacing of systems. However, to use modeling languages, there is a need to understand how the language meets the needs of the modeled system or domain. Following an initial review and evaluation of attributes of PSSs and existing approaches to modeling a PSS, this article analyzes the SysML requirements diagrams–as a technique for analyzing PSS requirements. SysML was compared against existing approaches to PSS modeling using the identified PSS attributes. Case scenarios of PSSs in the automotive industry were also applied to evaluate the use of SysML requirement diagrams. The article concludes by discussing implications of SysML for PSS researchers and managers. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 15
Assessment as learning: Enhancing discourse, understanding, and achievement in innovative science curricula
Authors: Hickey Daniel T. , Taasoobshirazi Gita , Cross Dionne
Published: October 2012

An assessment‐oriented design‐based research model was applied to existing inquiry‐oriented multimedia programs in astronomy, biology, and ecology. Building on emerging situative theories of assessment, the model extends prevailing views of formative assessment for learning by embedding “discursive” formative assessment more directly into the curriculum. Three twenty‐hour curricula were designed and aligned to content standards, and three levels of assessments were developed and used to assess and enhance learning for each curriculum. These assessments included three or four informal “activity‐oriented” quizzes and discursive formative feedback rubrics supporting collective discourse, a “curriculum‐oriented” examination of individual conceptual understanding, and a “standards‐oriented” test measuring aggregated achievement of targeted standards. After two design‐research cycles, worthwhile scientific argumentation and statistically significant gains were attained for two of the three packages on the exam and test. Achievement gains were comparable to or larger than those of students in comparison classrooms. Many existing innovations could be enhanced and evaluated in this fashion; designing these strategies directly into innovations could have an even greater impact on discourse, understanding, and achievement. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 49: 1240–1270, 2012
The Link Between HR Practices, Psychological Contract Fulfillment, and Organizational Performance: The Case of the Greek Service Sector
Authors: Katou Anastasia A. , Budhwar Pawan S.
Published: October 2012

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of human resource (HR) practices on organizational performance through the mediating role of psychological contract (expressed by the influence of employer on employee promises fulfillment through employee attitudes). The study is based on a national sample of 78 organizations from the public and private services sector in Greece, including education, health, and banking, and on data obtained from 348 employees. The statistical method employed is structural equation modeling, via LISREL and bootstrapping estimation. The findings of the study suggest that employee incentives, performance appraisal, and employee promotion are three major HR practices that must be extensively employed. Furthermore, the study suggests that the organization must primarily keep its promises about a pleasant and safe working environment, respectful treatment, and feedback for performance, in order for employees to largely keep their own promises about showing loyalty to the organization, maintaining high levels of attendance, and upholding company reputation. Additionally, the study argues that the employee attitudes of motivation, satisfaction, and commitment constitute the nested epicenter mediating construct in both the HR practices–performance and employer–employee promise fulfillment relationships, resulting in superior organizational performance. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Strategic HRM: Transforming Its Responsibilities Toward Ecological Sustainability—The Greatest Global Challenge Facing Organizations
Authors: Parkes Carole , Borland Helen
Published: October 2012

If we are to move to a more sustainable world, all actorsÑincluding governments, organizations, communities, and individualsÑneed to play their part in committing to a shift in the way we live our lives. This conceptual article explores the challenges that face the human resource management (HRM) profession in moving to a strategic position that supports the requirements of the biophysical environment. We argue that this is becoming an imperative for the future survival and success of organizations large and small, and thus is likely to be a key “modus operandi” for HRM professionals in the future who are looking to embed ecological sustainability into their organizations. This article offers new insights into developing business strategies for ecological sustainability, highlighting the implications for strategic HRM activity through organizational effectiveness, leadership, values, and, ultimately, HRM processes and systems. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
What Can Situated Learning Theory Tell Us About Leading to Develop Organizational Learning Capabilities for Entrepreneurial Performance? Lessons from a Knowledge‐Intensive Small Firm
Authors: Theodorakopoulos Nicholas , Figueira Catarina
Published: October 2012

Although the role of strategic leadership in developing organizational learning capabilities has been examined to a certain extent, the specific behaviors and mechanisms through which these capabilities are developed have not been adequately understood. Paucity of research in this direction is even more conspicuous in a small firm/entrepreneurship context, which has been linked to innovation, economic growth, and employment generation. Reporting on an ethnographic study of a knowledge‐intensive, growth‐oriented small firm, this article addresses this gap in the literature by integrating strategic leadership and organizational learning theory in an entrepreneurship context. In this undertaking, situated learning theory is used as the major analytical lens, to shed light on how strategic leadership can build organizational learning capabilities that underpin entrepreneurial performance in small firms. Finally, implications for situated learning theory as an organizational learning perspective and leadership practice in an entrepreneurship context are submitted. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Impact of Buddying on Psychological Capital and Work Engagement: An Empirical Study of Socialization in the Professional Services Sector
Authors: Nigah Neelam , Davis Ann J. , Hurrell Scott A.
Published: October 2012

This article reports on a study investigating the impact of new employees' satisfaction with buddying on work engagement and explores the role of psychological capital in mediating this relationship. The study took place within a professional services organization wherein data were collected from 78 graduate newcomers in receipt of buddying. Satisfaction with buddying was found to have a positive relationship to both work engagement and psychological capital. The satisfaction with the buddy/work engagement relationship was fully mediated by psychological capital, providing support for Saks & Gruman's (2011) socialization resources theory. The results underscore the valuable role buddying can play as part of organizational socialization from a positive organizational behavior perspective. The research contributes to the growing evidence that positively oriented human resource practices can develop personal resources of newcomers within organizations. Recommendations are made for how the organization can improve and build upon this resource, thus developing the psychological capital of newcomers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis of polyaniline nanocomposite and its application for chromium removal from aqueous solution
Authors: Esfandian Hossein , Jafari Mehdi , Alizadeh Mostafa , Rahmati Hooman Taher , Katal Reza
Published: October 2012

The aim of this research was to investigate the sorption characteristics of polyaniline coated on sawdust (PAn/SD) for the removal of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solutions. The sorption of Cr(VI) ions was carried out by the batch method. Characterization of PAn/SD was done by FTIR and SEM. The optimum conditions of sorption were found to be a PAn/SD dose of 0.6 g in 100 mL of Cr(VI) solution (50 mg/L), a contact time of 20 min, pH 2, and a temperature of 20°C, Increased temperature had a negative effect on the removal efficiency. Three equations, that is Morris–Weber, Lagergren, and pseudo‐second‐order, were tested to track the kinetics of the removal process. The kinetic data indicated that the adsorption process was described by the Morris–Weber equation. The Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevick models were used with sorption data to estimate sorption capacity, intensity, and energy. The data were fitted with the Freundlich model. The thermodynamic parameters ΔH, ΔS, and ΔG were evaluated. They showed that the adsorption of Cr(VI) onto PAn/SD was feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic under the studied conditions. For desorption of Cr(VI) adsorbed onto PAn/SD, aqueous NaOH was used; with it, 85% of the adsorbed Cr(VI) could be desorbed. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Fractional branes, warped compactifications and backreacted orientifold planes
Authors: Blåbäck J. , Janssen B. , Van Riet T. , Vercnocke B.
Published: October 2012

Abstract

The standard extremal p-brane solutions in supergravity are known to allow for a generalisation which consists of adding a linear dependence on the worldvolume coordinates to the usual harmonic function. In this note we demonstrate that remarkably this generalisation goes through in exactly the same way for p-branes with fluxes added to it that correspond to fractional p-branes. We relate this to warped orientifold compactifications by trading the Dp-branes for Op-planes that solve the RR tadpole condition. This allows us to interpret the worldvolume dependence as due to lower-dimensional scalars that flow along the massless directions in the no-scale potential. Depending on the details of the fluxes these flows can be supersymmetric domain wall flows. Our solutions provide explicit examples of backreacted orientifold planes in compactifications with non-constant moduli.
Ligand binding and conformational states of the photoprotein obelin
Authors: Eremeeva Elena V. , Vysotski Eugene S. , Westphal Adrie H. , van Mierlo Carlo P.M. , van Berkel Willem J.H.
Published: October 2012

Many proteins require a non‐covalently bound ligand to be functional. How ligand binding affects protein conformation is often unknown. Here we address thermal unfolding of the free and ligand‐bound forms of photoprotein obelin. Fluorescence and far‐UV circular dichroism (CD) data show that the various ligand‐dependent conformational states of obelin differ significantly in stability against thermal unfolding. Binding of coelenterazine and calcium considerably stabilizes obelin. In solution, all obelin structures are similar, except for apo‐obelin without calcium. This latter protein is an ensemble of conformational states, the populations of which alter upon increasing temperature.
Heme incorporation into the cytochrome bo3 occurs at a late stage of assembly
Authors: Palombo Isolde , Daley Daniel O.
Published: October 2012

Respiratory complexes in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes contain multiple co‐factors, which are coordinated in defined positions so that they can function as electron wires. Intriguingly, co‐factors are usually buried deep within hetero‐oligomeric protein complexes and it is not clear when or how they are incorporated. In this study we show that heme is incorporated into the cytochrome bo
3 complex of Escherichia coli at a late stage of assembly. Specifically the apo‐form of subunit I (the catalytic subunit) interacts with subunits III and IV before accepting heme. Assembly of subunit II is stalled until heme is incorporated.
Finding MicroRNA Targets in Plants: Current Status and Perspectives
Authors: Ding Jiandong , Zhou Shuigeng , Guan Jihong
Published: October 2012

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of ∼20–24 nt long non-coding RNAs, have critical roles in diverse biological processes including development, proliferation, stress response, etc. With the development and availability of experimental technologies and computational approaches, the field of miRNA biology has advanced tremendously over the last decade. By sequence complementarity, miRNAs have been estimated to regulate certain mRNA transcripts. Although it was once thought to be simple and straightforward to find plant miRNA targets, this viewpoint is being challenged by genetic and biochemical studies. In this review, we summarize recent progress in plant miRNA target recognition mechanisms, principles of target prediction, and introduce current experimental and computational tools for plant miRNA target prediction. At the end, we also present our thinking on the outlook for future directions in the development of plant miRNA target finding methods.
One Decade of Development and Evolution of MicroRNA Target Prediction Algorithms
Authors: Reyes∼Herrera Paula H. , Ficarra Elisa
Published: October 2012

Nearly two decades have passed since the publication of the first study reporting the discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs). The key role of miRNAs in post-transcriptional gene regulation led to the performance of an increasing number of studies focusing on origins, mechanisms of action and functionality of miRNAs. In order to associate each miRNA to a specific functionality it is essential to unveil the rules that govern miRNA action. Despite the fact that there has been significant improvement exposing structural characteristics of the miRNA–mRNA interaction, the entire physical mechanism is not yet fully understood. In this respect, the development of computational algorithms for miRNA target prediction becomes increasingly important. This manuscript summarizes the research done on miRNA target prediction. It describes the experimental data currently available and used in the field and presents three lines of computational approaches for target prediction. Finally, the authors put forward a number of considerations regarding current challenges and future directions.
The effect of individualized homeopathic treatment on the semen quality of bulls with reproductive disorders: a case series
Authors: de Souza M.F.A. , Macedo G.G. , Soares B.D. , Zúccari C.E.S.N. , Costa-e-Silva E.V.
Published: October 2012

Background:
Poor semen quality of pedigree bulls has major economic implications in cattle breeding.

Aims:
To evaluate the effect of homeopathy on the semen of bulls with reproductive disorders.

Methods:
The behavioral, clinical and spermatic characteristics of four Nelore bulls were evaluated. The bulls received individualized homeopathic treatment mixed into the feed and administered once per day. Semen was collected using an artificial vagina. Successful collection, freezing, effective doses, and the number of doses of semen per collection were compared before and after homeopathic treatment.

Results:
The bulls were treated with Sulphur, Phosphorus, Lycopodium and Argentum nitricum all in 30CH dilution. The rates of successful collection were 97.14%, 100%, 96.67% and 30.77% pretreatment and 95.45%, 100%, 94.67% and 96.77% at post-treatment for bulls A, B, C and D, respectively. The average number of doses per ejaculate pre and post-treatment were 102.67 (SD 74.41) vs. 300.08 (SD 180.58), 0 vs. 234.78 (SD 96.12), 0 vs. 105.12 (SD 54.98), 0 ± vs. 107.37 (SD 52.12) respectively. Many of these differences were statistically significant.

Conclusion:
The use of homeopathy apparently improved the production of viable doses of semen from bulls with previous freezing problems and poor semen quality. Controlled studies should be conducted.
Constitutional, organopathic and combined homeopathic treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy: a clinical trial
Authors: Hati A.K. , Paital B. , Naik K.N. , Mishra A.K. , Chainy G.B.N. , Nanda L.K.
Published: October 2012

Background:
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) is common in older men. This study compared homeopathic treatment strategies using constitutional medicines (CM) or organopathic medicines (OM) alone or in combination (BCOM) in patients suffering from BPH.

Methods:
220 men aged 30–90 years were recruited in Odisha, India. Patients presenting symptoms of prostatism, with or without evidence of bladder outflow obstruction were included in the study. Patients with serum prostate specific antigen (PSA)> 4 nmol/mL, malignancy, complete urine retention, stone formation and gross bilateral hydronephrosis were excluded. Patients were sequentially allocated to OM, CM or BCOM. The main outcome measure was the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS).

Results:
73, 70 and 77 patients respectively were sequentially allocated to OM, CM or BCOM. 180 patients (60 per group) completed treatment and were included in the final analysis. Overall 85% of patients showed improvement of subjective symptoms such as frequency, urgency, hesitancy, intermittent flow, unsatisfactory urination, feeble stream, diminution of residual urine volume but there was no reduction in prostate size. Treatment response was highest with BCOM (38.24%) compared to OM (31.62%) and CM (30.15%). Effect sizes were highest for the decrease in IPSS, residual urine volume and urinary flow rate.
Application of the Commission's recommendations: the activities of ICRP Committee 4
Authors: Lochard Jacques
Published: October 2012

Committee 4 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) is responsible for developing principles, recommendations, and guidance on the protection of man against radiation exposure; and considering their practical application in all exposure situations. The Committee also acts as a major point of contact between ICRP and other international organisations and professional bodies concerned with protection against ionising radiation. The current work of the Committee involves the development of a series of reports on implementation of the 2007 Recommendations, and a reflection on the ethical foundations of the radiological protection system. Following the accident in Fukushima, Committee 4 also initiated an analysis of management of the consequences of the accident, with the objective of revising, if necessary, the Commission's publications on emergency and post-accident situations.
The Geometric Law of Annual Halving
Authors: Malthouse Edward C. , Raman Kalyan
Published: October 2012

We propose and test an empirical generalization: the probability that a customer will be active in a future window is reduced by half for every additional year the customer is inactive. We test this model over 6 nonprofit organizations and 30 B2C retail companies, and find that it fits very well. No significant differences in the decay constant were found between nonprofits and retailers, different customer groups defined by the frequency of previous purchases, or the length of the future period. The effect of frequency on the probability of future activity is empirically shown to follow the exponential learning curve. Norms are provided for asymptote, intercept and steepness coefficient.
EGFR mediates LPA‐induced proteolytic enzyme expression and ovarian cancer invasion: Inhibition by resveratrol
Authors: Jeong Kang Jin , Cho Kyung Hwa , Panupinthu Nattapon , Kim Hoon , Kang Jaeku , Park Chang Gyo , Mills Gordon B. , Lee Hoi Young
Published: October 2012

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) augments proliferation and metastasis of various cancer cells. We recently identified a critical role of the Rho/ROCK pathway for LPA‐induced proteolytic enzyme expression and cancer cell progression. In the present study, we elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which LPA induces Rho activation and subsequent cellular invasion, and the reversal of these effects by resveratrol. We observed that both Gi and G13 contribute to LPA‐induced EGFR activation. The activated EGFR in turn initiates a Ras/Rho/ROCK signaling cascade, leading to proteolytic enzyme secretion. Further we provide evidence that resveratrol inhibits EGFR phosphorylation and subsequent activation of a Ras/Rho/ROCK signaling. Therefore, we demonstrate a mechanistic cascade of LPA activating EGFR through Gi and G13 thus inducing a Ras/Rho/ROCK signaling for proteolytic enzyme expression and ovarian cancer cell invasion, as well as interference of the cascade by resveratrol through blocking EGFR phosphorylation.
n-Alkane evidence for the onset of wetter conditions in the Sierra Nevada, California (USA) at the mid-late Holocene transition, ~ 3.0 ka
Authors: Street Joseph H. , Anderson R. Scott , Rosenbauer Robert J. , Paytan Adina
Published: October 2012

n-Alkane biomarker distributions in sediments from Swamp Lake (SL), in the central Sierra Nevada of California (USA), provide evidence for an increase in mean lake level ~ 3000 yr ago, in conjunction with widespread climatic change inferred from marine and continental records in the eastern North Pacific region. Length distributions of n-alkane chains in modern plants growing at SL were determined and compared to sedimentary distributions in a core spanning the last 13 ka. As a group, submerged and floating aquatic plants contained high proportions of short chain lengths (< nC25) compared to emergent, riparian and upland terrestrial species, for which chain lengths > nC27 were dominant. Changes in the sedimentary n-alkane distribution over time were driven by variable inputs from plant sources in response to changing lake level, sedimentation and plant community composition. A shift toward shorter chain lengths (nC21,nC23) occurred between 3.1 and 2.9 ka and is best explained by an increase in the abundance of aquatic plants and the availability of shallow-water habitat in response to rising lake level. The late Holocene expansion of SL following a dry mid-Holocene is consistent with previous evidence for increased effective moisture and the onset of wetter conditions in the Sierra Nevada between 4.0 and 3.0 ka.
Dietary supplementation with fish gelatine modifies nutrient intake and leads to sex-dependent responses in TAG and C-reactive protein levels of insulin-resistant subjects
Authors: Picard-Deland Éliane , Lavigne Charles , Marois Julie , Bisson Julie , Weisnagel S. John , Marette André , Holub Bruce , Chu Eugene , Frohlich Jiri , Hill John S. , Jacques Hélène
Published: October 2012

Previous studies have shown that fish protein, as well as marine n-3 PUFA, may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk profile. The objectives of this study were to investigate the combined effects of fish gelatine (FG) and n-3 PUFA supplementation on (1) energy intake and body weight, (2) lipid profile and (3) inflammatory and CVD markers in free-living insulin-resistant males and females. Subjects were asked to consume, in a crossover study design with two experimental periods of 8 weeks each, an n-3 PUFA supplement and n-3 PUFA supplement plus FG (n-3 PUFA + FG). n-3 PUFA + FG led to an increase in protein intake and a decrease in carbohydrate intake compared with n-3 PUFA (P < 0·02) in males and females. Sex–treatment interactions were observed for TAG (P = 0·03) and highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (P = 0·001) levels. In females, n-3 PUFA reduced plasma TAG by 8 % and n-3 PUFA + FG by 23 %, whereas in males, n-3 PUFA reduced plasma TAG by 25 % and n-3 PUFA + FG by 11 %. n-3 PUFA increased serum hsCRP by 13 % and n-3 PUFA + FG strongly reduced hsCRP by 40 % in males, whereas in females, n-3 PUFA reduced serum hsCRP by 6 % and n-3 PUFA + FG increased hsCRP by 20 %. In conclusion, supplementation with FG may enhance the lipid-lowering effect of marine n-3 PUFA in females and beneficially counteract the effect of n-3 PUFA on serum hsCRP in males. Further studies are needed to identify the sex-dependent mechanisms responsible for the divergent effects of FG on TAG and hsCRP levels in females and males, respectively.
To make Florida answer to its name: John Ellis, Bernard Romans and the Atlantic science of British West Florida
Authors: MURPHY KATHLEEN S.
Published: October 2012

As the royal agent for British West Florida and an avid naturalist, John Ellis, FRS, took a keen interest in both the scientific and the commercial potential of the nascent colony. This article explores how Ellis and his West Floridian correspondent Bernard Romans illuminate the social and material practices of colonial science. In particular, it builds on recent scholarship to argue that new natural knowledge about West Florida did not simply circulate in the Atlantic World, but was in fact engendered by the movement of objects and ideas through the many circuits of transatlantic natural history and imperial administration. Foregrounding the Atlantic nature of such knowledge also raises questions about the limits of the categories of centre and periphery so frequently employed by historians of colonial science. Colonists such as Romans understood London to be just one centre amongst many and asserted their own epistemological claims, despite the asymmetries of power inherent to colonial science.
U–Pb and Sm–Nd geochronology of the Kızıldağ (Hatay, Turkey) ophiolite: implications for the timing and duration of suprasubduction zone type oceanic crust formation in the southern Neotethys
Authors: KARAOĞLAN FATIH , PARLAK OSMAN , KLÖTZLI URS , THÖNI MARTIN , KOLLER FRIEDRICH
Published: October 2012

The Kızıldağ (Hatay) ophiolite in Turkey represents remnants of the southern Neotethyan ocean and is characterized by a complete ocean lithospheric section. It formed in a fore-arc setting above a N-dipping intraoceanic subduction zone, and represents the undeformed, more northerly part of the same thrust sheet that also forms the Baer–Bassit ophiolite to the south. The ophiolite was emplaced southwards from the southerly Neotethyan ocean in Maastrichtian time. U–Pb and Sm–Nd dates are used to constrain the crystallization age and duration of magmatic activity of the Kızıldağ ophiolite. U–Pb dating yielded ages of 91.7 ± 1.9 Ma for a plagiogranite and 91.6 ± 3.8 Ma for a cumulate gabbro. The cumulate gabbro also yielded a Sm–Nd isochron age of 95.3 ± 6.9 Ma. The measured ages suggest that the oceanic crust of the Kızıldağ ophiolite formed in a maximum time period of 6 Ma, and that the plagiogranite may have formed later than the gabbroic section. The U–Pb zircon ages from the Kızıldağ ophiolite and the cooling age of a metamorphic sole beneath the Baer–Bassit ophiolite are indistinguishable within the analytical uncertainties. This indicates the presence of young and hot oceanic lithosphere at the time of intraoceanic subduction/thrusting in the southern Neotethys. The U–Pb zircon ages from the Kızıldağ, the Troodos and the Semail ophiolites overlap within analytical uncertainties, suggesting that these ophiolites are contemporaneous and genetically and tectonically related within the same Late Cretaceous southern Neotethyan ocean.
A horseshoe crab (Arthropoda: Chelicerata: Xiphosura) from the Lower Devonian (Lochkovian) of Yunnan, China
Authors: LAMSDELL JAMES C. , XUE JINZHUANG , SELDEN PAUL A.
Published: October 2012

A single specimen of a new species of the synziphosurineKasibelinurusPickett, 1993 is described from the Lower Devonian (Lochkovian) Xiaxishancun Formation of Yunnan Province, China. The new species,K. yueyasp. nov., extends the geographic extent of the family Kasibelinuridae from the Australian palaeocontinent to the South China palaeocontinent, and the stratigraphic range back some 50 Ma from Late to Early Devonian.