bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stat3 is activated in skin lesions by the local application of imiquimod, a ligand of TLR7, and inhibited by the recombinant peptide aptamer rS3-PA
Authors: Mack Laura , Brill Boris , Delis Natalia , Borghouts Corina , Weber Axel , Groner Bernd 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) assumes central functions in the regulation of apoptosis, proliferation, angiogenesis, and immune responses in normal cells. It also plays crucial roles in inflammatory and malignant diseases and in the cellular communication in the tissue microenvironment. Signaling interactions among normal endothelial cells, immune cells, and tumor cells, mediated by the release of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, often result in the activation of Stat3 and promotion of cancer cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and immune evasion. Stat3 also causes the differentiation and activation of T helper 17 (Th17) cells, which is involved, e.g., in psoriasis, an inflammatory autoimmune disease of the skin. Here, we describe molecular characteristics of a mouse model triggered by the treatment of mouse skin with the immune modulator imiquimod. The application of this compound causes the local release of proinflammatory cytokines and symptoms that resemble human psoriasis. We show that this process is accompanied by strong Stat3 activation. We also investigated the effects of a membrane-permeable, peptide-based Stat3 inhibitor, recombinant Stat3-specific peptide aptamer (rS3-PA). This molecule specifically interacts with Stat3 and prevents its transactivation potential in cultured cells. rS3-PA is able to penetrate the skin, enter cells, and reduce the level of activated Stat3. The topical applications of rS3-PA to the skin could thus possibly become useful in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases and skin cancer.
Heat Resistant Poly(amide-imide)s Derived from N,N′-(4,4′-Pyromellitoyl)-bis-L-phenyl Acetic Acid and Aromatic Diamines: Synthesis and Properties
Authors: Faghihi Khalil , Hajibeygi Mohsen 
Published: October 2012

AbstractSix new heat resistant and optically active poly(amide-imide)s 5a–f were prepared by the direct polycondensation reaction of N,N′-(4,4′-pyromellitoyl)-bis-L-phenyl acetic acid 3 with various different diamines 4a–f in a medium consisting of triphenyl phosphite, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, pyridine and calcium chloride. These polymers were obtained in high yields and had inherent viscosities between 0.35–0.50 dL/g. The resulting polymers were characterized by viscosity measurements, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA and DTG), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), solubility test, specific rotation, FT-IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. N,N′-(4,4′-pyromellitoyl)-bis-L-phenyl acetic acid 3 was prepared by an one-stop reaction of pyromellitic anhydride 1 with L-phenyl acetic acid 3 in acetic acid solution in quantitative yield.
Rupture of Cavity Film Due to Water Entry of Horizontal Superhydrophobic Circular Cylinders
Authors: Ueda Y. , Iguchi M. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractIn materials refining processes such as steelmaking process, bath-entry of agents such as CaCO3 attracts career gas around their entire surface so that the dispersion in the bath can be inhibited. To shed light on the still vague instant phenomenon, this study employs a water model experiment and carries out the visualization. Therefore, this study visually demonstrates the growth and rupture of air cavity due to water entry of horizontal superhydrophobic circular cylinders with the aid of a high-speed camera. Here, we show that the water entry of the horizontal hydrophobic cylinder forms a film of cavity behind the cylinder whereas a hydrophilic cylinder forms a cavity from both ends of the cylinder. In a high Froude number entry, once the cavity film ruptured on both sides of it, the contact lines of the cavity film abruptly move along the surface of the cylinder. In a low Froude number entry, the influence of weak fluid inertia force makes several ruptures on the cavity film which grow individually and split off the cavity. Of a particular interest is the fact that the multi-rupture regime appeals for the spanwise three-dimensionality on the cavity film against the previous studies within two-dimensional treatment. Furthermore, this report finds the trend for some range of Fr that the nondimensionalized closure depth of the cavity film zc with diameter of the cylinder obeys zc/d ∼ Fr1/3 in the range 4.7 ≤ Fr ≤ 40 although it depends on Fr in the water-entry problem of a hydrophobic sphere.
Determination of Thermal Conductivity of Mn-Al Powder Compacts using An Inverse Heat Transfer Procedure
Authors: Li Zhi , Argyropoulos Stavros A. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe effective thermal conductivities of various Mn-Al powder compact compositions were measured using an Inverse Heat Transfer Procedure, and extensive validation work was also carried out. Specially fabricated cylindrical compact specimens were used equipped with two thermocouples at strategic locations. The porosity of these specimens was also measured.The estimated effective thermal conductivities of various Mn-Al compacts were in the range of 5.5 to 10.5 W m−1 °C−1, which are much lower than that of Al (237 W m−1 °C−1), and close to that of Mn (7.8 W m−1 °C−1). The effective thermal conductivities of Mn-Al powder compacts decreased with an increase in the compact's Mn composition and porosity. Within the examined temperature range of 250 to 600 °C, the effect of temperature on the effective thermal conductivity was minimal. A purely theoretically derived prediction of Mn-Al compact thermal conductivity is substantially higher than the estimates of using the IHTP.
Unified approach to classical equations of inverse problem theory
Authors: Belishev Mikhail I. , Mikhaylov Victor S. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract.
The boundary control (BC) method is an
approach to inverse problems based upon their deep relations to
control and system theory. We show that the classical integral
equations of inverse problem theory (Gelfand–Levitan, Krein and
Marchenko equations) can be derived in the framework of the
BC method in a unified way. Namely, to solve each of these
equations one has in fact to solve a relevant boundary control problem,
whereas its solution is determined by the inverse data.
A new approximate mathematical model for global convergence for a
coefficient inverse problem with backscattering data
Authors: Beilina Larisa , Klibanov Michael V. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract.
An approximately globally convergent numerical method for a 3d
coefficient inverse problem for a hyperbolic equation with backscattering data is
presented. A new approximate mathematical model is presented as well. An
approximation is used only on the first iteration and amounts to the
truncation of a certain asymptotic series. A significantly new element of
the convergence analysis is that the so-called “tail
functions” are estimated. Numerical results in 2d and 3d
cases are discussed, including the one for a quite heterogeneous medium.
Nanosonotechnology: the next challenge in cancer sonodynamic therapy
Authors: Serpe Loredana , Foglietta Federica , Canaparo Roberto 
Published: October 2012

AbstractSonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a newly developed anticancer treatment where ultrasound is used to trigger the cytotoxic effect of chemical compounds, known as sonosensitizers. Although SDT is similar to photodynamic therapy (PDT), SDT activates the chemical compounds through energy transfer using ultrasound rather than light. Moreover, SDT can focus the ultrasound energy onto malignant sites situa\xadted deeply within tissues, thus overcoming the main drawback linked to the use of PDT. Several physical and chemical mechanisms underlying ultrasound bioeffects and anticancer SDT take advantage of the non-thermal effect of acoustic cavitation generated by selected pulsed or continuous ultrasound. As the physical-chemical structure of the sonosentizer is essential for the success of SDT, we believe that the different aspects related to nanotechnology in medicine might well be able to improve the triggering effect ultrasound has on sonosensitizing agents. Therefore, the aim of this review is to focus on how nanotechnology might improve this innovative anticancer therapeutic approach.
Political Development of Lithuania: A Comparative Analysis of Second Post-communist Decade
Authors: Norkus Zenonas 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe goal of this paper is to put into focus and explain distinctive features of the political developments in Lithuania during second post-communist decade, comparing them with other Baltic States (Latvia and Estonia) and those Central European countries with political systems which resembled most closely Lithuania (Poland and Hungary) by the end of the first post-communist decade. In all these countries, second post-communist decade witnessed the rise of the new successful populist parties. The author argues that this populist rise is the proper context for understanding of Rolandas Paksas’ impeachment in Lithuania in 2003–2004. His Order and Justice Party has to be classified together with the Kaczynski twins Law and Justice Party and its even more radical allies in Poland, Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz and Gábor Vona’s Jobbik in Hungary, Juhan Part’s Res Publica in Estonia and Einars Repše’s New Era in Latvia. They all were right-wing populist parties, proclaiming in their anti-establishment rhetoric the war on corruption of the (ex-communist) elite and the coming of new politics. While the rise of right-wing populism did not change the political system in Estonia and Latvia, its outcome in Hungary and Poland was the breakup of the ex-communist and anti-communist elites pact which was the foundation of the political stability during first post-communist decade. The Kaczynski twins founded Rzecz Pospolita IV (4th Republic of Poland), grounded in the thorough and comprehensive lustration of the ex-communist cadres. Fidesz leader Orban used the two-thirds majority in the Hungarian parliament to promulgate a new constitution. Lithuania is unique in that the ex-communist and anti-communist elites pact was not abolished, but preserved and consolidated thanks to the collaboration of all, by this time, established and left-of-center populist parties during the impeachment proceedings. The impeachment of Paksas can be considered as the stress test of the young Lithuanian liberal democracy just on the eve of the accession of Lithuania to the European Union and NATO. An unhappy peculiarity of the stress tests is that they sometimes break or damage the items tested. Preventing the transformation of liberal post-communism into populist post-communism in Lithuania, the impeachment as stress test was a success. However, against the expectation of many observers, it did not enhance the quality of democracy of Lithuania. The legacy of impeachment are disequilibrium of the balance of power between government branches in favor of the Constitutional Court, strengthening of the left-of-centre populist political forces and the interference of secret services into Lithuanian politics with the self-assumed mission to safeguard Lithuanian democracy from the perils of populism.
Tetrahedral Palladium Nanocrystals: A New Support for Platinum Monolayer Electrocatalysts with High Activity and Stability in the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Gong Kuanping , Choi YongMan , Vukmirovic Miomir B. , Liu Ping , Ma Chao , Su Dong , Adzic Radoslav R. 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
The recent availability of tetrahedral palladium (PdTH) nanocrystals with cleaned surfaces allowed us to evaluate their facet-specific electrochemical properties as a new support of platinum monolayer (PtML) catalysts. The Pd–PtML core-shell electrocatalyst was examined by combining structural analyses and Density Functional Theory (DFT) with electrochemical techniques. The surfaces of the PdTH core are composed of (111) facets wherein the Pd atoms are highly coordinated and have low surface energy. Our results revealed that in comparison with sphere Pd (PdSP)-supported PtML or pure Pt, the PdTH-supported PtML features more surface contraction and a downshift of d-band relative to the Fermi level. These geometric- and electronic-effects determine the higher activity of PtML/PdTH/C for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) compared to that of PtML/PdSP/C. This shape-property interdependence illuminated new approaches to basic- and applied- research on Pt-based ORR electrocatalysts of significant importance to the widespread use of fuel cells.
Insertional Mutagenesis by a Hybrid PiggyBac and Sleeping Beauty Transposon in the Rat
Authors: Furushima Kenryo , Jang Chuan-Wei , Chen Diane W , Xiao Ningna , Overbeek Paul A , Behringer Richard R 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
A hybrid piggyBac/Sleeping Beauty transposon-based insertional mutagenesis system that can be mobilized by simple breeding was established in the rat. These transposons were engineered to include gene trap sequences and a tyrosinase (Tyr) pigmentation reporter to rescue the albinism of the genetic background used in the mutagenesis strategy. Single-copy transposon insertions were transposed into the rat genome by co-injection of plasmids carrying the transposon and RNA encoding piggyBac transposase into zygotes. The levels of transgenic Tyr expression were influenced by chromosomal context, leading to transgenic rats with different pigmentation that enabled visual genotyping. Transgenic rats designed to ubiquitously express either piggyBac or Sleeping Beauty transposase were generated by standard zygote injection also on an albino background. Bigenic rats carrying single-copy transposons at known loci and transposase transgenes exhibited coat color mosaicism, indicating somatic transposition. PiggyBac or Sleeping Beauty transposase bigenic rats bred with wild-type albino rats yielded offspring with pigmentation distinct from the initial transposon insertions as a consequence of germline transposition to new loci. The germline transposition frequency for Sleeping Beauty and piggyBac was ∼10% or about one new insertion per litter. Approximately 50% of the insertions occurred in introns. Chimeric transcripts containing endogenous and gene trap sequences were identified in Gabrb1 mutant rats. This mutagenesis system based on simple crosses and visual genotyping can be used to generate a collection of single-gene mutations in the rat.
The variety of emission color Eu2+ doped barium silicate phosphors for LEDs, Ba4Si6O16:Eu2+ and Ba5Si8O21:Eu2+
Authors: Ishigaki T. , Sato K. , Kamei S. , Uematsu K. , Toda K. , Sato M. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTBlue-green emitted barium silicate phosphors, Ba4Si6O16:Eu2+ and Ba5Si8O21:Eu2+, were prepared by a conventional solid-state reaction. In these hosts, the corner-sharing [SiO4] tetrahedral formed a chain framework structure. These silicate phosphors can be efficiently excited by n-UV light, yielding an intense blue-green emission. Under excitation by near UV light, the emission bands are broader than that of the Ba2SiO4:Eu2+ phosphor.
Sludge of wastewater treatment plants as Co2+ ions sorbent
Authors: Frišták Vladimír , Pipiška Martin , Horník Miroslav , Augustín Jozef , Lesný Juraj 
Published: October 2012

AbstractSludges produced in huge amounts by wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) display high fertility properties; however, the presence of heavy metals restricts their use for agricultural purposes. Sorption capacity of sludge is generally much higher and it can also be considered as a cheap sorbent of heavy metals. The paper describes cobalt sorption by dried activated sludge (DAS) obtained from the aerobic phase of a WWTP. DAS was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) analysis. Sorption capacity of DAS (Q eq) increased with the initial concentration (C 0) of Co2+ (CoCl2) within the range from 100 μmol g−1 to 4000 μmol g−1, reaching 15 μmol g−1 and 200 μmol g−1, respectively. The maximum uptake capacity (Q max) at pH 6.0 calculated from the Langmuir isotherm model was (256 ± 9) μmol g−1 for Co2+ ions. Obtained Q values were dependent on pH within the range from 3.0 to 7.0. Competitive effect of other bivalent cations such as Ni2+ in Co2+ sorption equilibrium was confirmed; which is in agreement with the hypothesis of the decisive role of ion-exchange mechanism in metal sorption. The obtained data are discussed from the point of view of potential utilization of sludges as sorbents, i.e. in non-agricultural application.
Improvement of aquatic pollutant partition coefficient correlations using 1D molecular descriptors — chlorobenzene case study
Authors: Maria Cristina , Tociu Carmen , Maria Gheorghe 
Published: October 2012

AbstractPartition coefficients between environmental compartments are essential parameters in any predictive models on pollutants’ fate in various emission scenarios. When sufficient experimental data are not available, empirical algebraic models are capable of predicting the pollutant partitioning characteristics based on bulk physico-chemical properties or various molecular structural features. When the use of sophisticated rules based on detailed 2D–3D molecular descriptors is not available as a quick option, inexpensive, simple correlations based solely on octanol-1-ol (octanol)-water partition coefficients (K ow) are extensively employed. The present study investigates enhancing the adequacy of such hydrophobicity-based models by adding simple 1D descriptors, readily identifiable by inspecting the substance structure (i.e. the number of chlorine atoms bound to aromatic rings, or the number of aromatic 5- or 6-atom rings, etc.), in addition to the pollutant’s solubility in water. Exemplification is made for predicting the water-biota (fish)-sediment partition coefficients for chlorobenzenes (CBz).
Effect of Exercise and Weight Loss in People Who Have Hip Osteoarthritis and Are Overweight or Obese: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Paans Nienke , van den Akker-Scheek Inge , Dilling Roelien G. , Bos Martine , van der Meer Klaas , Bulstra Sjoerd K. , Stevens Martin 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder in the world and is recognized as a substantial source of disability. For people with OA of the knee, exercise in combination with weight loss is a proven, effective, conservative treatment option, yet evidence is lacking for people with hip OA.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to obtain preliminary evidence of the effect of a program of exercise in combination with weight loss on physical function in people who have hip OA and are overweight or obese.DesignThis investigation was a prospective cohort study.MethodsThirty-five people who were 25 years or older, had clinical and radiological evidence of hip OA, and were overweight or obese (body mass index of &gt;25 kg/m2) were included. They participated in an 8-month program of exercise in combination with weight loss. A body mass index of 40 kg/m2 was used as the upper limit. The primary outcome was self-reported physical function, as measured with a subscale of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. Secondary outcome measures included pain and walking tests as quantitative measures of function.ResultsParticipation in the combination program resulted in a 32.6% improvement in self-reported physical function after 8 months, a finding that could be considered clinically relevant. Significant improvements also were seen in pain and on walking tests.LimitationsThe lack of a control group was a limitation of this study.ConclusionsThis appears to be the first study investigating the effect of exercise and weight loss as a combination treatment in people with hip OA. The results provide preliminary evidence that this combination treatment is effective in people with hip OA.
Nazi Crimes and their Lingering Impact
Authors: Bendix John 
Published: October 2012

Alexander von Plato, Almut Leh and Christopher Thonfeld, eds., Hitler’sSlaves: Life Stories of Forced Labourers in Nazi-Occupied Europe (New York:Berghahn Books, 2010)Frank Biess and Robert Moeller, eds., Histories of the Aftermath: The Legaciesof the Second World War in Europe (New York: Berghahn Books, 2010)
Genetic effects of recent habitat fragmentation in the Thousand‐Island Lake region of southeast China on the distylous herb Hedyotis chrysotricha (Rubiaceae)
Authors: Yuan Na , Comes Hans Peter , Mao Yun‐Rui , Qi Xin‐Shuai , Qiu Ying‐Xiong 
Published: October 2012

• Premise of the Study: Known‐age artificial‐lake islands provide ideal model systems to elucidate the genetic and evolutionary consequences of anthropogenic habitat fragmentation on very recent time scales. Here, we studied a distylous herb, Hedyotis chrysotricha (Rubiaceae), in the artificially created Thousand‐Island Lake (TIL) region of southeast China to explore the genetic consequences of islanding for this species.• Methods: Seven microsatellite loci were used to genotype 384 individuals of H. chrysotricha from 18 populations to estimate genetic diversity, population structure, and demographic parameters.• Key Results: Island populations had significantly lower mean genetic diversity than those from the western/eastern mainland (e.g., HE = 0.381 vs. 0.461) and also displayed higher mean subdivision (FST = 0.12 vs. 0.042/0.051). BayesAss analyses indicated moderate levels of migration rates among most populations, whereas Bottleneck did not provide strong evidence for such effects. In consequence, 2MOD strongly favored a gene flow–drift model over a pure drift model in the study area, but concomitantly revealed a relatively greater influence of drift in the island populations as evidenced by their significantly higher probabilities of allelic coancestry (F = 0.184 vs. 0.085).• Conclusions: The observed genetic patterns in H. chrysotricha indicate that recent anthropogenic habitat fragmentation in the TIL region can lead to significant loss of genetic diversity in isolated fragments (islands) due to ongoing drift. By contrast, patterns of random mating, gene flow, and population connectivity have not greatly been modified yet, possibly owing to the species’ fruit (seed) dispersal capabilities providing resilience in the face of habitat fragmentation.
Le mandarin, le gestionnaire et le consultant
Authors: Pierru Frédéric 
Published: October 2012

Résumé	En juillet 2009 est votée une loi dite « Hôpital, patients, santé, territoires », qui réforme à la fois la « gouvernance » de l’hôpital et son environnement institutionnel. La pre- mière consacre et renforce les pouvoirs des chefs d’établissement ; la seconde crée des agences régionales de santé, fusionnant, au niveau régional, les adminis-trations déconcentrées de l’État et des services de l’Assurance maladie. Cette réforme, inspirée par une réinterprétation nationale des préceptes du New Public Management pour les rendre compatibles avec les institutions sectorielles héritées de la trajectoire spécifique de l’État français, a provoqué une mobilisation sans précédent des élites médicales hospitalo-universitaires. Celles-ci ont été, en effet, écartées du processus de décision au profit d’autres groupes d’agents, étatiques et non étatiques, porteurs d’une conception industrielle de la médecine hospitalière. Au sein de cette coalition modernisatrice, les grands cabinets de conseil occupent une place de choix. Grâce à la Re?vision ge?ne?rale des politiques publiques (RGPP), les consultants parviennent à s’ouvrir de lucratifs marchés en amont et en aval de la réforme hospita-lière. L’article pose donc la question de la reconfiguration des élites réformatrices de l’hôpital dans ce moment spécifique de la réforme de l’État qu’est la RGPP et de l’éventuelle disqualification des élites médicales, jusque là propriétaires légitimes des questions médicales.