bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oil resistance and mechanical properties of polysiloxane nanocomposites prepared by in situ reaction of reactive polar monomers
Authors: Meng Yang , Chu Junfeng , Liu Chaohao , Wei Zheng , Zhang Liqun 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTA series of poly(methylvinylsiloxane) elastomer (VMQ) composites with improved oil resistance were prepared by introducing uniform polar polymer phases into VMQ matrix through the in situ reaction of reactive polar monomers—hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA)—during peroxide curing. Differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared measurements demonstrated that HEMA and HPMA had high reactivity and most of the monomers participated in the in situ reaction during peroxide curing. Transmission electron microscopic images showed that the uniform nanophases with the diameters in the range of 20–50 nm formed in the VMQ vulcanizates. The generated nanophases could interact with silica to form a strong filler network in the VMQ matrix, resulting in a significant increase of the modulus at low elongation of the VMQ vulcanizates. With increasing the content of polar monomers, the tensile strength decreased slightly, the elongation at break, the hardness and the 100% modulus increased, but the 300% modulus decreased significantly due to the decrease of the crosslink density. The incorporation of HEMA or HPMA into VMQ matrix could significantly improve the oil resistance of polysiloxane elastomer, and the oil resistance of the composites containing HEMA was a little better than that of the composites containing HPMA. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40983.
Australia's ‘Pacific Solution’: Issues for the Pacific Islands
Authors: Warbrooke Aulden 
Published: June 2014

AbstractIn 2013, the Rudd Labor Government introduced a new version of the ‘Pacific Solution’ to Australia's ‘problem’ with increasing numbers of asylum‐seekers arriving by boat. The new version not only included the transfer of asylum‐seekers to Nauru and Manus Island in Papua New Guinea, it crucially involved the resettlement in these Pacific Island countries of those found to be refugees and introduces long‐term detention for those who are not successful and who do not decide to return to their original countries. Following the 2013 election, the Abbott Coalition Government fully embraced the new ‘Pacific Solution’. This deeper level of incorporation of Papua New Guinea and Nauru in Australia's asylum‐seeker policy raises a range of issues not only for these two Pacific Island countries but also for the broader Pacific islands region whose name is invoked in the ‘Pacific Solution’.
Regulation of synovial cell growth: Coexpression of transforming growth factor β and basic fibroblast growth factor by cultured synovial cells
Authors: Goddard David H. , Grossman Scott L. , Williams William V. , Weiner David B. , Gross Janet L. , Eidsvoog Kristi , Dasch James R. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractObjective. To demonstrate expression of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) by cultured rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial cells and to investigate their role as synovial cell mitogens.Methods. Polypeptide growth factors were detected and identified by immunocytochemical staining and Western blot analysis. Messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts encoding TGFβ and bFGF were identified by polymerase chain reaction analysis. The influence of neutralizing growth factor monoclonal antibodies (MAb) on RA synovial cell growth was investigated. TGFβ bioactivity was determined by Mv1Lu assay.Results. Lysates of RA, as compared with normal, synovial cells contained greater amounts of TGFβ and bFGF. Western blot analysis identified a single TGFβ band (MW ˜25 kd) in each of the cell lysates examined. Western blot analysis using MAb DE6 identified a doublet of bFGF bands (MW ˜18.0 kd) in normal synovial cell lysates and 4 bFGF bands (MW ˜18.0, 22.0, 22.6, and 25.2 kd) in RA synovial cell lysates. RA and normal synovial cells expressed mRNA transcripts encoding TGFβ1 but not TGFβ2, and FGF‐2 (basic FGF). Additional mRNA transcripts encoding FGF‐5 and FGF‐7 were expressed by RA, but not normal, synovial cells in culture. In contrast to MAb 1D11.16, which caused a dose‐dependent decrease in RA synovial cell growth, MAb DG2 (up to 100 μg/ml) had no effect on cell growth.Conclusion. RA and normal synovial cells cultured in serum‐free medium express TGFβ1 and native bFGF. However, only RA synovial cells in culture express higher molecular weight isoforms of bFGF. TGFβ1 appears to regulate synovial cell growth in vitro through an external autocrine loop. Despite expression of high‐affinity bFGF receptors on cultured synovial cells, the mechanisms by which bFGF modulates synovial cell growth are unknown.
Quantitation of chondroitin 4—sulfate and chondroitin 6—sulfate in pathologic joint fluid
Authors: Shinmei Masayuki , Miyauchi Satoshi , Machida Akemi , Miyazaki Kyosuke 
Published: June 2014

AbstractObjective. To investigate the correlation between joint disease and the composition of chondroitin sulfate in the joint fluid, unsaturated disaccharide isomers of chondroitin 4—sulfate (Δdi‐4S) and chondroitin 6—sulfate (Δdi‐6S) were measured in joint fluids obtained from patients with osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or traumatic arthritis (TA).Methods. These pathologic joint fluids were digested with chondroitinase ABC, and the Δdi‐4S and Δdi‐6S produced were determined by high performance liquid chromatography combined with fluorometry.Results. Total content of Δdi‐4S plus Δdi‐6S was 71.8 ± 30.0 nmoles/ml (mean ± SD) in OA, 55.4 ± 29.3 nmoles/ml in RA, and 211 ± 149 nmoles/ml in TA joint fluids. The ratio of Δdi‐6S to Δdi‐4S was 3.81 ± 0.992 in OA, 1.13 ± 0.527 in RA, and 5.75 ± 2.46 in TA joint fluids. Differences between groups were statistically significant.Conclusion. These results strongly suggest that the levels of chondroitin sulfate isomers and the Δdi‐6S: Δdi‐4S ratio in joint fluid reflect the proteoglycan metabolism of joint tissues, particularly of articular cartilage; hence, they could be used to diagnose joint diseases and to predict articular cartilage destruction from such joint diseases.
Peptide p160‐Coated Silica Nanoparticles Applied in Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Yang Yang , Wang Anhe , Jia Yi , Brezesinski Gerald , Dai Luru , Zhao Jie , Li Junbai 
Published: June 2014

AbstractPeptide p160‐conjugated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) were fabricated and loaded with photosensitizer hypocrellin B (HB). The results indicate that the nanocomposites have better selectivity for cancer cells and higher cytotoxicity in photodynamic therapy in vitro. The nanocomposites can be used as a novel candidate in photodynamic therapy. This may be a general and promising method to modify nanoparticles to improve their cell affinity.
Programmable Design of Functional Ribonucleoprotein Complexes
Authors: Rath Anna K. , Kellermann Stefanie J. , Rentmeister Andrea 
Published: June 2014

AbstractRibonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes are widespread in nature and play crucial roles in gene regulation, RNA processing, and translation. Novel technologies, such as CRISPR‐mediated genome engineering, stress the potential of RNP complexes to carry out complex tasks in molecular biology. Here we report a bottom‐up approach for the programmable self‐assembly of RNP complexes. The building blocks for RNP complex formation are RNAs and Pumilio proteins that can bind to RNA sequence‐specifically. Correct RNP assembly triggers protein complementation of a tripartite GFP, thereby resulting in up to 25‐fold increased fluorescence, and is strictly dependent on the correct RNA sequences. Our results indicate that Pumilio and guide RNAs are suitable building blocks for the correct self‐assembly of RNP complexes consisting of up to six different components. Self‐assembling RNP complexes might prove useful for complex biotechnological applications in RNA sensing, imaging, or processing.
Effect of the Bulkiness of the End Functional Amide Groups on the Optical, Gelation, and Morphological Properties of Oligo(p‐phenylenevinylene) π‐Gelators
Authors: Babu Sukumaran Santhosh , Praveen Vakayil K. , Kartha Kalathil K. , Mahesh Sankarapillai , Ajayaghosh Ayyappanpillai 
Published: June 2014

AbstractHerein, we describe the role of end functional groups in the self‐assembly of amide‐functionalized oligo(p‐phenylenevinylene) (OPV) gelators with different end‐groups. The interplay between hydrogen‐bonding and π‐stacking interactions was controlled by the bulkiness of the end functional groups, thereby resulting in aggregates of different types, which led to the gelation of a wide range of solvents. The variable‐temperature UV/Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic features of gelators with small end‐groups revealed the formation of 1D H‐type aggregates in CHCl3. However, under fast cooling in toluene, 1D H‐type aggregates were formed, whereas slow cooling resulted in 2D H‐type aggregates. OPV amide with bulky dendritic end‐group formed hydrogen‐bonded random aggregates in toluene and a morphology transition from vesicles into fibrous aggregates was observed in THF. Interestingly, the presence of bulky end‐group enhanced fluorescence in the xerogel state and aggregation in polar solvents. The difference between the aggregation properties of OPV amides with small and bulky end‐groups allowed the preparation of self‐assembled structures with distinct morphological and optical features.
The Microwave‐Assisted Ionic‐Liquid Method: A Promising Methodology in Nanomaterials
Authors: Ma Ming‐Guo , Zhu Jie‐Fang , Zhu Ying‐Jie , Sun Run‐Cang 
Published: June 2014

AbstractIn recent years, the microwave‐assisted ionic‐liquid method has been accepted as a promising methodology for the preparation of nanomaterials and cellulose‐based nanocomposites. Applications of this method in the preparation of cellulose‐based nanocomposites comply with the major principles of green chemistry, that is, they use an environmentally friendly method in environmentally preferable solvents to make use of renewable materials. This minireview focuses on the recent development of the synthesis of nanomaterials and cellulose‐based nanocomposites by means of the microwave‐assisted ionic‐liquid method. We first discuss the preparation of nanomaterials including noble metals, metal oxides, complex metal oxides, metal sulfides, and other nanomaterials by means of this method. Then we provide an overview of the synthesis of cellulose‐based nanocomposites by using this method. The emphasis is on the synthesis, microstructure, and properties of nanostructured materials obtained through this methodology. Our recent research on nanomaterials and cellulose‐based nanocomposites by this rapid method is summarized. In addition, the formation mechanisms involved in the microwave‐assisted ionic‐liquid synthesis of nanostructured materials are discussed briefly. Finally, the future perspectives of this methodology in the synthesis of nanostructured materials are proposed.
Electrospun meshes possessing region‐wise differences in fiber orientation, diameter, chemistry and mechanical properties for engineering bone‐ligament‐bone tissues
Authors: Samavedi Satyavrata , Vaidya Prasad , Gaddam Prudhvidhar , Whittington Abby R. , Goldstein Aaron S. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTAlthough bone‐patellar tendon‐bone (B‐PT‐B) autografts are the gold standard for repair of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures, they suffer from drawbacks such as donor site morbidity and limited supply. Engineered tissues modeled after B‐PT‐B autografts are promising alternatives because they have the potential to regenerate connective tissue and facilitate osseointegration. Towards the long‐term goal of regenerating ligaments and their bony insertions, the objective of this study was to construct 2D meshes and 3D cylindrical composite scaffolds – possessing simultaneous region‐wise differences in fiber orientation, diameter, chemistry and mechanical properties – by electrospinning two different polymers from off‐set spinnerets. Using a dual drum collector, 2D meshes consisting of an aligned polycaprolactone (PCL) fiber region, randomly oriented poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) fiber region and a transition region (comprised of both PCL and PLGA fibers) were prepared, and region‐wise differences were confirmed by microscopy and tensile testing. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) cultured on these meshes exhibited random orientations and low aspect ratios on the random PLGA regions, and high aspect ratios and alignment on the aligned PCL regions. Next, meshes containing an aligned PCL region flanked by two transition regions and two randomly oriented PLGA regions were prepared and processed into 3D cylindrical composite scaffolds using an interpenetrating photo‐crosslinkable polyethylene glycol diacrylate hydrogel to recapitulate the shape of B‐PT‐B autografts. Tensile testing indicated that cylindrical composites were mechanically robust, and eventually failed due to stress concentration in the aligned PCL region. In summary, this study demonstrates a process to fabricate electrospun meshes possessing region‐wise differences in properties that can elicit region‐dependent cell responses, and be readily processed into scaffolds with the shape of B‐PT‐B autografts. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 2549–2559. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Amorfrutins: A Promising Class of Natural Products that Are Beneficial to Health
Authors: Sauer Sascha 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe incidence of complex noncommunicable diseases has strongly increased over the last several decades in the US, Europe and other parts of the world that have adopted a western lifestyle (M. Ezzati, E. Riboli, Science­ 2012, 337, 1482–1487; S. Smyth, A. Heron, Nat. Med.­ 2006, 12, 75). Despite considerable investment in the development of new types of drugs, options for the treatment of many common diseases remain inadequate. If current trends prevail, the rising incidence of disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) will soon result in an unsustainable burden on society (World Health Organization Technical Report Series­ 2000, 894, i–xii, 1–253). Given the difficulty of treating fully developed complex disorders, new strategies for early intervention and prevention of common diseases are of great interest. Dietary natural products with beneficial effects, such as the recently described antidiabetic and lipid‐lowering amorfrutins, could pave the way for efficiently treating and preventing metabolic and other complex diseases (C. Weidner, et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA­ 2012, 109, 7257–7262).
Self‐Assembly of Amyloid Fibrils That Display Active Enzymes
Authors: Zhou Xiao‐Ming , Entwistle Aiman , Zhang Hong , Jackson Antony P. , Mason Thomas O. , Shimanovich Ulyana , Knowles Tuomas P. J. , Smith Andrew T. , Sawyer Elizabeth B. , Perrett Sarah 
Published: June 2014

AbstractEnzyme immobilization is an important strategy to enhance the stability and recoverability of enzymes and to facilitate the separation of enzymes from reaction products. However, enzyme purification followed by separate chemical steps to allow immobilization on a solid support reduces the efficiency and yield of the active enzyme. Here we describe polypeptide constructs that self‐assemble spontaneously into nanofibrils with fused active enzyme subunits displayed on the amyloid fibril surface. We measured the steady‐state kinetic parameters for the appended enzymes in situ within fibrils and compare these with the identical protein constructs in solution. Finally, we demonstrated that the fibrils can be recycled and reused in functional assays both in conventional batch processes and in a continuous‐flow microreactor.
Optimization of a Mixed Additive and its Effect on Physicochemical Properties of Bio‐Oil
Authors: Zhang Le , Liu Ronghou , Yin Renzhan , Mei Yuanfei , Cai Junmeng 
Published: June 2014

AbstractA final optimal mixed additive consisting of methanol, acetone, and ethyl acetate in specific proportions was obtained by one‐factor multi‐objective optimization of the Design‐Expert software and performed well in a verification experiment. The mixed additive of methanol and ethyl acetate was first prepared separately and then added to bio‐oil, followed by acetone. The viscosity of the additive/bio‐oil mixture was significantly lower than of the crude bio‐oil. Among all chemical compound groups in the bio‐oil, the content of phenols was the highest one. Chemical compounds in bio‐oil after aging had higher molecular mass weights than before. The addition of the final optimal mixed additive and the accelerated aging process could slightly change the intensity and positions of some absorption peaks.
Hydrodynamic Behavior and Residence Time Distribution of Industrial‐Scale Bale Packings
Authors: Ding Huidian , Xiang Wenyu , Song Ning , Liu Chunjiang , Yuan Xigang 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe hydrodynamic behavior of bale packing was tested in a catalytic distillation column. Models and empirical equations for predicting pressure drop and dynamic liquid holdup were proposed and compared with experimental results. The examination of residence time distribution (RTD) relied on the pulse method and a conductivity meter which deduced the axial Péclet number, axial dispersion coefficient, and dynamic liquid holdup. The relations of dynamic liquid holdup obtained from gravimetric draining experiments and RTD studies were discussed with static and total liquid holdup. Potential impacts of the liquid distributor and conductivity cell were also assessed. The results prove that models and empirical equations fit well and are reliable in design and scale‐up.
X‐ray Crystal Structure Analysis of Sodium‐Ion Conductivity in 94 Na3PS4⋅6 Na4SiS4 Glass‐Ceramic Electrolytes
Authors: Tanibata Naoto , Noi Kousuke , Hayashi Akitoshi , Kitamura Naoto , Idemoto Yasushi , Tatsumisago Masahiro 
Published: June 2014

AbstractRietveld analysis of cubic Na3PS4 in the 94 Na3PS4⋅6 Na4SiS4 (mol %) glass ceramic indicates that two Na+ sites (Na1 and Na2) can be found in cubic Na3PS4 and that the phosphorus atoms in cubic Na3PS4 are partially replaced by silicon in the 94 Na3PS4⋅6 Na4SiS4 glass ceramic. The electron‐density distribution of the cubic Na3PS4 structure, obtained by the maximum‐entropy method/Rietveld method, revealed that cubic Na3PS4 contains three‐dimensional Na+ conduction pathways along the Na1 and Na2 sites. From the Rietveld analysis, the cubic Na3PS4 in the 94 Na3PS4⋅6 Na4SiS4 glass ceramic has a larger site‐occupancy of Na2 than that in the Na3PS4 glass ceramic, which may be responsible for the improvement in Na+ conductivity.
How Does the Choice of Anode Material Influence Electrical Performance? A Comparison of Two Microbial Fuel Cell Model Organisms
Authors: Kipf Elena , Zengerle Roland , Gescher Johannes , Kerzenmacher Sven 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe influence of the anode material on the electrical performance of the two microbial fuel cell model organisms Geobacter sulfurreducens and Shewanella oneidensis is investigated. High‐surface‐area activated carbon and low‐surface‐area graphite felt are compared in terms of polarization curves under quasi‐steady‐state conditions. Unexpectedly, G. sulfurreducens exhibits similar current densities up to 700 μA cm−2 independent of the anode material. This is ∼50 % higher than steady‐state values reported previously. The negligible influence of electrode material on the electrical performance of G. sulfurreducens is attributed to the fact that it performs only direct electron transfer, but forms thick biofilms. In contrast, S. oneidensis, relying mainly on mediated electron transfer, apparently makes better use of high‐surface‐area activated carbon and achieves higher current densities compared to graphite felt. This underlines the importance of tailoring anode materials according to the used organisms.
Topographic specializations in the retinal ganglion cell layer correlate with lateralized visual behavior, ecology, and evolution in cockatoos
Authors: Coimbra João Paulo , Collin Shaun P. , Hart Nathan S. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTCockatoos are a unique avian group inhabiting a diversity of arboreal and terrestrial microhabitats. Most species display strong lateralized visual behaviors using their left eye/foot to assist with food manipulation during foraging. In this study, we used retinal wholemounts and stereological methods to investigate whether the topographic distribution of retinal ganglion cells in cockatoos reflects their lateralized behaviors and microhabitat diversity. We found that all species studied possess a horizontal visual streak and a shallow central fovea that afford increased spatial resolution in the lateral visual field. Arboreal cockatoos have a well‐defined dorsotemporal area, in contrast to terrestrial cockatoos, in which this specialization is inconspicuous or absent. Terrestrial cockatoos also have a triangular extension of increased ganglion cell density directed toward the dorsotemporal retinal periphery. Both the dorsotemporal area and the triangular extension enhance spatial resolution in the frontal and inferior visual fields, which potentially assists with binocular coordination during foraging. We found significantly higher ganglion cell densities in the left (52,000–72,000 cells/mm2) compared with the right (42,500–50,000 cells/mm2) perifoveal region of species that have strong left eye–left foot lateralized behaviors. In contrast, cockatoo species that show no lateralized behaviors have equivalent retinal ganglion cell densities in both left and right perifoveal regions (42,500–52,500 cells/mm2). Retinal ganglion cell peak densities in the dorsotemporal area showed no significant difference between left and right eyes for any species, suggesting that cockatoos use both eyes to extract information in the binocular visual field, independent of the degree of lateralization. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:3363–3385, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Polyoxometalate‐Based Metal–Organic Frameworks as Catalysts for the Selective Oxidation of Alcohols in Micellar Systems
Authors: Zhu Jie , Shen Meng‐nan , Zhao Xue‐jing , Wang Peng‐cheng , Lu Ming 
Published: June 2014

AbstractA series of nanosized metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) encapsulating different polyoxometalates (POMs) including H3PW4O12, H5PMo12O40, H5PVMo10O40, H5PV2Mo10O40, and H5PV3Mo10O40 was synthesized and used in the selective oxidation of alcohols. The catalyst with a uniform size and morphology offered easy accessibility between substrates and catalyst. At the same time, the MOF ensured that the POM was encapsulated, which could dramatically prevent the assembly of the catalyst. Furthermore, the catalyst showed clear chemoselectivity, which was related to the size or accessibility of the substrates for surface pores. With cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide aqueous solution as solvent, both improved reaction efficiency and simple recycling of the catalytic system were achieved to afford a green oxidation process.