bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decreased vulnerability of hippocampal neurons after neonatal hypoxia–ischemia in bis‐deficient mice
Authors: Cho Kyung‐Ok , Lee Kyung‐Eon , Youn Dong‐Ye , Jeong Kyoung Hoon , Kim Joo Youn , Yoon Hye Hyeon , Lee Jeong‐Hwa , Kim Seong Yun 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe Bcl‐2‐interacting death suppressor (Bis) protein is involved in antiapoptosis and antistress pathways. However, its roles after neonatal hypoxia–ischemia remain obscure. Therefore, we investigated the effects of Bis deletion on hippocampal cell death following neonatal hypoxia–ischemia. We transected the right common carotid artery of bis+/+ and bis−/− mice at postnatal Day 7 and subjected them to hypoxia for 35 min. Cresyl violet staining showed that hypoxia–ischemia induced progressive cell death in the hippocampi of bis+/+ mice. Moreover, Bis was expressed in astrocytes, not microglia, in sham‐manipulated hippocampi of bis+/+ mice, and was markedly enhanced after hypoxia–ischemia. Immunoblotting showed that Bis expression significantly increased 3 and 7 days following hypoxia–ischemia. Unexpectedly, 7 days after hypoxia–ischemia, the number of hippocampal NeuN‐positive cells was higher in the bis−/− mice than in the bis+/+ mice. We subsequently performed transcriptomic analysis and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction to search for the underlying genes responsible for resistance to hypoxia–ischemia in the bis−/− hippocampus. These studies showed that 6 h after hypoxia–ischemia, galectin 3 and filamin C levels increased to a lesser extent in the bis−/− hippocampi compared with the bis+/+ hippocampi. Finally, our in vitro hypoxia–ischemia model, using A172 glioma cells and primary astrocytes, showed that downregulation of Bis blocked the enhanced expression of galectin 3 after oxygen–glucose deprivation. This study demonstrated that Bis was upregulated in the astrocytes after hypoxia–ischemia. In addition, we showed that hippocampal neurons are less vulnerable to hypoxia–ischemia in mice lacking Bis, possibly because of the modulation of galectin 3 induction. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prevention of biofilm formation on urinary catheters: Comparison of the sparfloxacin‐treated long‐term antimicrobial catheters with silver‐coated ones
Authors: Kowalczuk Dorota , Ginalska Grażyna , Piersiak Tomasz , Miazga‐Karska Małgorzata 
Published: August 2012

AbstractUrinary catheters are widely used for hospitalized patients and are often associated with high risk of urinary tract infection. The agar and broth diffusion tests, visual TTC (triphenyltetrazolium chloride) method, and confocal scanning laser microscopic (CSLM) observations have shown highly satisfactory antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of the novel sparfoxacin (SPA)‐treated urinary catheters compared with the controversial effectiveness of silver(Ag)‐coated catheters against a background of untreated catheters used as controls. SPA‐treated catheters were significantly less likely to become colonized (less than 0.01%; inner and outer surfaces against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) than both silver‐coated (from 0.01% to 39.3 %; outer surface against E. coli and inner surface against S. aureus, resp.) and untreated catheters (from 88.43% to 99.72%; outer and inner surfaces, resp., against S. aureus), and maintained their broad spectrum of antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity during storage for at least 6 months. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Global trends: U.S. IPO market declines
Authors: Jensen Marlin R.H. , Marshall Beverly B. , Jahera, Jr. John S. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractWhat happened to the global initial public offering (IPO) market after the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act was passed in 2002? Press reports suggest that Sarbanes‐Oxley made U.S. markets less competitive compared to the rest of the world‐causing a drop in IPOs. The authors argue that past heavy U.S. IPO activity created thousands of jobs‐and those days are gone. But who is to blame? Is increased regulation the cause? © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Accelerating VASP electronic structure calculations using graphic processing units
Authors: Hacene Mohamed , Anciaux‐Sedrakian Ani , Rozanska Xavier , Klahr Diego , Guignon Thomas , Fleurat‐Lessard Paul 
Published: August 2012

AbstractWe present a way to improve the performance of the electronic structure Vienna Ab initio Simulation Package (VASP) program. We show that high‐performance computers equipped with graphics processing units (GPUs) as accelerators may reduce drastically the computation time when offloading these sections to the graphic chips. The procedure consists of (i) profiling the performance of the code to isolate the time‐consuming parts, (ii) rewriting these so that the algorithms become better‐suited for the chosen graphic accelerator, and (iii) optimizing memory traffic between the host computer and the GPU accelerator. We chose to accelerate VASP with NVIDIA GPU using CUDA. We compare the GPU and original versions of VASP by evaluating the Davidson and RMM‐DIIS algorithms on chemical systems of up to 1100 atoms. In these tests, the total time is reduced by a factor between 3 and 8 when running on n (CPU core + GPU) compared to n CPU cores only, without any accuracy loss. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A comparison of the eating quality of selected potato cultivars from two potato production regions in South Africa
Authors: Booysen Laryssa , Viljoen Annemarie T , Schönfeldt Hettie C 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Limited scientific information is available on the eating quality of potato cultivars in South Africa. This study aimed to determine, describe and compare the eating quality of three potato cultivars from two production regions (dry land and irrigated land) in South Africa, through sensory and physical evaluation. Sensory descriptors were identified for the sensory attributes and a lexicon was developed. A category scale was used to rate the sensory attributes and physical measurements of specific gravity, shear force resistance and scanning electron microscopy were performed.RESULTS: It became evident that both sensory evaluation and physical measurements need to be performed in order to determine the eating quality of potato cultivars, as one evaluation supports the other. A partial least squares regression modelling method was used to relate the sensory attributes and physical measurements. The intensity of the sensory attributes of the specific cultivars varied between the two production regions.CONCLUSION: The eating quality of potatoes obtained from two production regions differed from another due to climatic conditions and other production characteristics that exist (dry land vs. irrigation). The study confirms the valuable contribution of determining the eating quality of potato cultivars. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Assessment of antibacterial properties and the active ingredient of plant extracts and its effect on the performance of crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio var. E'erqisi, Bloch)
Authors: Lu Chunxia , Luo Xiaoling , Luo Ruifeng , Chen Xia , Xing Lijie , Tang Zonggui , Li Hongmin 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: In this study, the antibacterial properties and active ingredient of plant extracts and its effect on the performance of crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio var. E'erqisi, Bloch) were assessed.RESULTS: The transmission electron microscopy and flow cytometric analysis showed that the antibacterial activity of plant extracts is due to the disruption of the cell membrane and the leakage of cytoplasmic contents. The UPLC–MS/MS analysis showed that the contents of gallic acid, (−)–epigallocatechin, (+)–catechin, (−)–epigallocatechin gallate, (−)–epicatechin gallate, aloe–emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion, were 5.27%, 3.30%, 1.08%, 19.32%, 5.46%, 0.23%, 0.56%, 1.28%, 0.75% and 0.39% in plant extracts, respectively. Results of feeding experiment showed that feeding crucian carp with 1.0% and 2.0% plant extracts significantly enhanced specific growth rate, serum total protein, lysozyme, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, and decreased the feed conversion rate, malondialdehyde contents and the mortality rate (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that plant extracts added to fish feed can act as natural antimicrobial and immunostimulants to prevent pathogenic infection, enhance immune response, and promote growth of the fish. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Efficacy of fine‐needle aspiration in diagnosing cervical nodal metastasis from nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy
Authors: Chan Jimmy Yu Wai , Chan Richie Chiu Lung , Chow Velda Ling Yu , To Victor Shing Howe , Wei William Ignace 
Published: August 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:Our purpose was to study the effect of previous radiotherapy (RT) on the efficacy of fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) in diagnosing cervical nodal metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Study Design:Case‐control study.Methods:The diagnostic efficacy of FNA in a group of patients with residual or recurrent cervical lymphadenopathy after previous RT for NPC was compared with a cohort of patients with primary NPC before RT during the same period.Results:Between 2008 and 2010, 50 patients were included for each group in the study. The specificity (100% vs. 88%, P = .12) and positive predictive value (100% vs. 89%, P = .12) was comparable in the two groups. However, the sensitivity (82% vs. 40%, P = .04), negative predictive value (NPV; 74% vs. 36%, P = .03), and accuracy (88% vs. 54%, P = .05) were significantly worse after previous RT. Previous RT was the only factor that was significantly associated with worse diagnostic efficacy (P = .001). When used together with plasma Epstein–Barr virus (pEBV)‐DNA level and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings (triple assessment), the diagnostic efficacy was significantly improved, especially regarding sensitivity (40% vs. 98%, P = .01), NPV (36% vs. 96%, P = .02), and accuracy (54% vs. 97%, P = .03).Conclusions:Diagnostic efficacy of FNA for residual or recurrent cervical lymph node metastasis in NPC is significantly reduced after previous RT. To ensure that the proper diagnosis is made early, triple assessment using FNA, pEBV‐DNA, and MRI should be adopted in this scenario. Laryngoscope, 2013
Effect of Dithienopyrrole Unit on Electrochromic and Optical Properties of Benzotriazole‐Based Conjugated Polymers
Authors: Unlu Naime Akbasoglu , Deniz Tugba Kaya , Sendur Merve , Cirpan Ali 
Published: August 2012

AbstractA series of benzotriazole (BTz)‐ and dithienopyrrole (DTP)‐based three polymers; poly[2‐(2‐dodecyl‐2H‐benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol‐4‐yl)‐4‐hexyl‐4H‐dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrole] (P1), poly[2‐ (5‐(2‐dodecyl‐7‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)‐2H‐benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol‐4‐yl)thiophen‐2‐yl)‐4‐hexyl‐4H‐dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrole] (P2), and poly[2‐(5‐(2‐dodecyl‐7‐(4‐hexylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐2H‐benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol‐4‐yl)‐3‐hexylthiophen‐2‐yl)‐4‐hexyl‐4H‐dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrole] (P3) was synthesized via Stille coupling. To investigate the effect of the π‐bridges on the electrochromic properties of BTz‐based polymers, thiophene and 3‐ hexylthiophene was incorporated between BTz and DTP moiety. Different π‐bridges affected the HOMO and LUMO energy levels, coloration efficiency, switching time, and optical contrast.
Self‐Assembly and Metalation of pH‐Sensitive Double Hydrophilic Block Copolymers with Interacting Polymer Components
Authors: Permyakova Nataliya , Zheltonozhskaya Tatyana , Revko Olga , Grischenko Lyudmila 
Published: August 2012

AbstractDouble hydrophilic diblock copolymers (DBCs) contained chemically complementary methoxypoly(ethylene oxide) and poly(acrylic acid) (MOPEO‐b‐PAAc) with the constant length of MOPEO block (MvMOPEO = 5 kDa) and variable length of polyacid block (MnPAAc = 9.9 ÷ 23.1 kDa) were synthesized by a free radical block copolymerization of PAAc with methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) (MOPEG). These copolymers were pH‐sensitive in aqueous medium, namely, at low pH the polyacid blocks were protonated and formed the intramolecular polycomplexes with MOPEO blocks that resulted in an intense micellization initiated by hydrophobic interactions between non‐polar bound segments of the blocks. Hydrophobic “core” of the micelles comprised H‐bonded segments of MOPEO and PAAc blocks while hydrophilic “corona” included the surplus units of longer blocks. The capability of DBCs as templates for the silver nanocluster/nanoparticle is considered. The kinetics of the Ag‐nanoparticle growth in the copolymer matrices and optical properties of nanoclusters and nanoparticles were determined and discussed.
Spherical Polyelectrolyte Brushes as Templates for Stable Dispersions of Polyaniline Based Conducting Particles
Authors: Korovin A. N. , Sergeyev V. G. , Pyshkina O.A. , Tsarkova L. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractWe prepare stable conducting core‐shell particles using spherical polyelectrolyte brushes (SPB) as microreactor‐templates. The polymerization of aniline is guided within the SPB shell so that no bulk polymerization proceeds up to 20% polyaniline (PANi) content in the resulting composite. The dispersions are electrostatically stabilized in a wide range of the ionic strength. The conductivity of the composite material reaches 0.1 S/cm which is comparable with the conductivity of bulk PANI obtained under comparable conditions.
Influence of Dopant on Electroactivity of Polyaniline
Authors: Wang Yanyan , Levon Kalle 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPolyaniline (PANI) films were polymerized on glass carbon (GC) electrodes with small molecular dopantshydrochloric, perchloric, sulfuric, methanesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, ρ‐ toluenesulfonic and large macromolecular size poly(4‐styrenesulfonic (PSS)), poly(vinylsulfonic), poly(acrylic), and poly(anilinesulfonic) acids.Theredox electroactiveswere studied in buffered solutions with the pH of 3, 5, 7, and 9. Results indicated that the properties PANI films were strongly dependent on the molecular size and polar characteristics of the dopants. With the polyelectrolytes, it was found that the PANI doped with PSS showed a good redox behavior, and maintained the inherent electro activity of PANI in the neutral and even in alkaline media.
Thermodynamic Properties of Star Shaped Polymers Investigated with Wang‐Landau Monte Carlo Simulations
Authors: Silantyeva I. A. , Vorontsov‐Velyaminov P. N. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractEntropic sampling method within Wang‐Landau algorithm is used for simulation of lattice models of linear polymer chains and 6‐arm star‐shaped polymers. The semi‐phantom (i.e. nonreversal) random walk on 3D simple cubic lattice is used as a reference system. The densities of states are obtained and on their basis the temperature dependences of internal energy, heat capacity, entropy and mean square radius of gyration are calculated. Results for stars are compared with data for linear chains.
Synthesis and Electron Transfer Properties of Metal Complex Oligomer Wires with an Inherent Potential Gradient on Gold Electrode
Authors: Nishimori Yoshihiko , Maeda Hiroaki , Katagiri Shunsuke , Sendo Junya , Miyachi Mariko , Sakamoto Ryota , Yamanoi Yoshinori , Nishihara Hiroshi 
Published: August 2012

Abstractπ‐Conjugated bis(terpyridine)metal (M(tpy)2) oligomer wires were prepared by surface coordination programming such that they displayed an inherent potential gradient along the wire through the chain of metals and bridging ligands. The electron transfer properties of these wires were examined. Heterometal complex wires prepared in the sequence Au(111)‐Co(tpy)2‐Fe(tpy)2‐ferrocene (Fc); that is, Au‐[Aazo‐1CoLH‐1FeTFc] ((Aazo)2 = bis((4‐(4′‐2,2′;6′,2″‐terpyridyl)phenylazo)phenyl)disulfide, LH = bis(terpyridyl)‐p‐phenylene), displayed a rate constant, ket, for electron transfer at the terminal Fc moiety that was twice that obtained from wires prepared in the sequence electrode‐Fe(tpy)2‐Co(tpy)2‐Fc, Au‐[Aazo‐1FeLH‐1CoTFc]. This suggested that the oxidation reaction at the terminal Fc moiety was mediated by electron transfer via Co(tpy)2 more efficiently than via Fe(tpy)2. Metal complex wires with an inherent potential gradient based on the heteroligand combination were synthesized using bis(4‐(4′‐2,2′;6′,2″‐terpyridyl) phenyl)disulfide, (AH)2, or bis(4‐(4′‐5,5″‐difluoro‐2,2′;6′,2″‐terpyridyl)phenyl)disulfide, (AF)2, as anchoring ligands and bis(terpyridyl)‐p‐phenylene, LH, or bis(terpyridyl)‐tetrafluoro‐p‐phenylene, LF, as bridging ligands. Potential step chronoamperometry (PSCA) measurements of the redox reaction of Au‐[AH‐1FeL1‐2FeLF] and Au‐[AF‐1FeLF‐2FeLH] revealed only small differences in the current–time curves, indicating that the electron self‐exchange between the Fe(tpy)2 units in a wire was faster than electron transfer between an electrode surface and the adjacent Fe(tpy)2 units. Fast electron self‐exchange suppressed the expected rectification behavior of the wire, despite the presence of a potential staircase within the wire.
Thioether Derivatives of Carbosilane Dendrimers of Lower Generations: Synthesis and Complexation with CuCl2
Authors: Tarasenkov Alexander , Getmanova Elena , Tatarinova Elena , Surin Nikolay , Muzafarov Aziz 
Published: August 2012

AbstractNovel carbosilane dendrimers containing thioether groups were synthesized. The possibility of using these compounds as ligands for complexation with transition metal salts, in particular with CuCl2, was investigated. The average maximum numbers of Cu2+ ions that can be encapsulated within sulfur containing polymers and dendrimers were estimated.
Effects of poly‐ and monodisperse surfactants on14C‐epoxiconazole diffusion in isolated cuticles of Prunus laurocerasus
Authors: Gutenberger Andrea , Zeisler Viktoria V , Berghaus Rainer , Auweter Helmut , Schreiber Lukas 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundSurfactants are known to enhance the foliar uptake of agrochemicals. It was the aim of this study to compare the enhancing effect of three polydisperse surfactants (Brij 30, Plurafac LF300 and Wettol LF700) and five monodisperse alcohol ethoxylates (C12E3, C12E4, C12E5, C12E6 and C12E8) on 14C‐epoxiconazole diffusion in cuticles isolated from cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus L.).ResultsRate constants (k*) of 14C‐epoxiconazole diffusion were measured in the presence and in the absence of the surfactants. Polydisperse surfactants increased the rates of foliar penetration of 14C‐epoxiconazole by factors of between 8 and 16. With monodisperse surfactants, enhancing effects on cuticular penetration were 2–16‐fold. Effects were highest with alcohol ethoxylates of intermediate size, whereas they were lower for the smaller, more lipophilic and the larger, more polar monomers. In addition, diffusion of four monodisperse alcohol ethoxylates (C12E3, C12E4, C12E5 and C12E6) across cuticles was measured. Rate constants of alcohol ethoxylates decreased with decreasing lipophility and increasing molecular weight.ConclusionThe results indicate that enhancement of foliar penetration across cuticles by surfactants was most efficient when both 14C‐epoxiconazole and surfactants had similar mobilities in the transport‐limiting barrier of the cuticles. This observation should be of interest in future strategies to optimise foliar uptake of agrochemicals using surfactants.
Laboratory tests of insect growth regulators as bait sprays for the control of the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Sánchez‐Ramos Ismael , Fernández Cristina E , González‐Núñez Manuel , Pascual Susana 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundInsect growth regulators (IGRs) act specifically on arthropods. This selectivity makes them an interesting alternative to traditional insecticides for pest control. The aim of this work was to test the IGRs azadirachtin, cyromazine, flufenoxuron, lufenuron and pyriproxyfen as useful pesticides for the control of the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi), a key pest of olive crops.ResultsOf the products tested, the chitin‐synthesis inhibitor lufenuron showed the highest efficacy. The life parameter showing the strongest effect was the egg hatch, because lufenuron caused nearly 100% egg mortality 7 days after treatment. However, sterility was not transmitted from the treated males to the untreated females. The LC50 and LC90 values for a 7 day evaluation period were 19.3 and 86.2 µg AI mL−1 respectively. Azadirachtin, cyromazine and flufenoxuron also caused significant increases in egg mortality. However, these increases were less than those produced by lufenuron. Pyriproxyfen had a stimulatory effect on B. oleae fecundity.ConclusionApplied as a bait treatment, a procedure used frequently in the field for the control of B. oleae, lufenuron is potentially useful against this important pest.
Learning Labs: Collaborations for Transformative Teacher Learning
Authors: Brancard Ruth , Quinnwilliams Jennifer 
Published: August 2012

Teachers in a middle school and a high school with high percentages of English language learners showed evidence of transformative learning during the 2 years in which they collaborated in an ongoing professional development activity called learning labs, which include focused discussion of observations of colleagues’ classrooms. An analysis of qualitative data found teachers’ stated beliefs about their own and students’ roles, responsibilities, and capabilities changed as a result of their participation in learning labs. Teachers also implemented changes in their instructional practices. The authors argue that effective professional development activities must go beyond the delivery of information to support teachers’ examination and revision of assumptions about students, teaching, and learning that guide their practice.
Mad cow policy and management of grizzly bear incidents
Authors: Northrup Joseph M. , Boyce Mark S. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractProtection of humans and livestock from disease has been used to justify many aggressive and costly wildlife control programs. Recent regulatory changes on livestock carcass disposal aimed at controlling the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Canada have led to substantial increases in exposed livestock carcass dumps. Such “boneyards” are known to attract grizzly bears (Ursus arctos), which leads to human–bear conflict. We compiled data on human–grizzly bear interactions in an agricultural landscape in southwestern Alberta over a 12‐year time period (1999–2010) overlapping regulatory changes. Boneyards increased markedly after regulations were enacted and grizzly bear incidents increased correspondingly, particularly those related to dead livestock. The high rate of conflict results in frequent management captures, relocations, and translocations that create a likely population sink. Although work is underway to reduce human–bear interactions, revisions are needed to recent regulatory changes, such that they take wildlife into account. When combined with programs aimed at ensuring proper storage of attractants, we believe that such policy reforms will make it possible for humans to coexist with grizzly bears in southwestern Alberta. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.