bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immobilization of a multi‐enzyme system for L‐amino acids production
Authors: Rodríguez‐Alonso María J , Rodríguez‐Vico Felipe , Las Heras‐Vázquez Francisco J , Clemente‐Jiménez Josefa M 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDFour enzymes were immobilized for the production of optically pure natural and non‐natural L‐amino acids via the ‘Double‐Racemase Hydantoinase Process’. Immobilization constitutes an empirical process, and for each enzyme we tested 11 carriers with different functional groups; epoxide, EC‐EP, EC‐HFA, IB‐150 and IB‐350, carboxylic acid IB‐C435, quaternary ammonium IB‐A161, IB‐A171 and IB‐A369, aromatic group IB‐S861, and hydroxyl group IB‐S60S and IB‐S60P.RESULTSEach protein showed preference for binding on one or several supports: D,L‐hydantoinase/IB‐350, hydantoin racemase/EC‐EP, L‐carbamoylase/EC‐EP and carbamoyl racemase/IB‐A161. The process was optimized for each enzyme by modifying temperature, pH and ionic strength. For the enzymatic cascade, it was demonstrated that it was essential to use supports having homogeneous characteristics. The product of the first reaction is the substrate of the next one, and so on. Free mass diffusion from one enzyme to the other is crucial to avoid retention on the support and to maintain the protein–substrate interaction constant.CONCLUSIONIt was proved that support size, weight and hydrophobicity must be homogeneous to avoid the formation of separate layers of the matrix selected. For this reason, the support IB‐350 was used for the four enzymes, even though it may not be the most efficient one for some of them. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
How Does Microcredit Lead to Empowerment? A Case Study of the Vinya wa Aka Group in Kenya
Authors: Kulb Carolyn , Hennink Monique , Kiiti Ndunge , Mutinda Jane 
Published: July 2015

AbstractEmpowerment, as a vehicle for poverty reduction, is becoming a critical component of international development. This involves shifting the development paradigm from the predominant ‘top‐down’ (deficit) approach towards a ‘bottom‐up’ (asset‐based) approach, thereby building capacity from existing community resources. Qualitative in‐depth interviews were used to examine the process of women's empowerment through a community microcredit group, which utilizes an asset‐based approach to development. Women experienced three distinct phases of empowerment: ‘enlightenment,’ ‘group movement,’ and ‘empowerment’. This case study provides empirical data on the process of women's empowerment through microcredit while underscoring the strengths of asset‐based approaches towards sustainable community development. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identifying clinically meaningful benchmarks for gait improvement after total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Foucher Kharma C. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTThere are no established benchmarks for gait mechanics after total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study sought to identify minimum clinically important postoperative (MCIP) or minimum clinically important improvement (MCII) values for self‐selected walking speed, sagittal plane dynamic hip range of motion (HROM) (peak flexion‐peak extension) and peak hip adduction moments measured during quantitative gait analysis. Preoperative and 1‐year postoperative data collected during quantitative gait analysis, along with Harris Hip Scores (HHS), for 145 subjects were collected from a motion analysis data repository. The MCIP (or MCII) was defined as the 75th percentile mark on a plot of the cumulative percent of subjects with HHS ≥ 80 versus the postoperative value (or change) in the respective variable. 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Logistic regression was used to test the association of age, sex, BMI, and preoperative HHS with benchmarks. The MCIP of speed was 1.34 m/s (95%CI 1.30, 1.37); MCII was 0.32 (0.30, 0.35) m/s. The HROM MCIP was 30.0° (29.4°, 30.7°); MCII was 13.3° (12.1°, 14.8°). The adduction moment MCIP was 4.2% Body Weight × Height (4.0, 4.4); MCII was 0.87 (0.57, 1.17) % Body Weight × Height. Women were more likely to achieve MCII for HROM and MCIP for adduction moment (ORs 2.4–11.6, p ≤ 0.031). Lower BMI predicted HROM and adduction moment MCIPs (ORs 0.85–0.88, p ≤ 0.015). Lower preoperative HHS predicted speed, HROM and adduction moment MCIIs (ORs 0.95–0.97, p ≤ 0.012). With further validation, clinically‐relevant gait benchmarks can enhance efforts to improve THA outcomes. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:88–96, 2016.
The Effect of Organoclay on Curing Characteristic, Mechanical Properties, Swelling and Morphology of Natural Rubber/Organoclay Nanocomposites
Authors: Fathurrohman M. Irfan , Soegijono Bambang , Budianto Emil , Rohman Saeful , Ramadhan Arief 
Published: July 2015

SummaryRubber nanocomposites based on the natural rubber (NR) and organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) were prepared by melt intercalation technique using a laboratory open mill followed by compression molding. Organically modified organoclays with different d‐spacing were added to the natural rubber matrix to examine the influence of d‐spacing of organoclay on morphology, curing characteristic and mechanical property of nanocomposite. The characterizations were carried out by means of X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron, atomic force microscopy and moving die rheometer. The results show that melt mixing by an open mill is an effective method for dispersing OMMT throughout the natural rubber matrix especially for organoclay cloisite 15A whose d‐spacing is high and well dispersed in natural rubber matrix. The hardness and stresses at low strain of NR/organoclay nanocomposites slightly increased with increasing d‐spacing of organoclay, but elongation at break decreased. The swelling behavior of NR/organoclay nanocomposite improved with increasing d‐spacing of organoclay.
Effect of Different Blend Ratios and Compatibilizer on Tensile Properties of Recycled Poly(propylene)/Recycled High Density Polyethylene Blends
Authors: Atiqah A.A.S Mariam , Salmah H. , Firuz Z. , Lan D.N.U. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryPolymer blending is an efficient way for tailoring products with required set of properties and is often more cost effective when recycling. In this study, the effect of different blend ratios on tensile properties, morphology and crystallinity of recycled poly(propylene) (rPP) and recycled high density polyethylene (rHDPE) were studied. Polyethylene maleic anhydride (PEMA) as compatibilizer was used to improve the properties of rPP/rHDPE blends. The blends were prepared using a counter rotating twin screw extruder. The tensile strength and elongation at break of uncompatibilized blends decreased with increasing rHDPE content, whereas the modulus of elasticity increased. The crystallinity of rPP decreased with increases of the rHDPE content, but the crystallinity of rHDPE increased in uncompatibilized blends. It was found that tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of compatibilized rPP/rHDPE blends higher than uncompatibilized blends. The SEM micrograpgh of tensile fractured surface of compatibilized rPP/rHDPE showed better interfacial adhesion and interaction between rPP and rHDPE. It was also found that the crystallinity of compatibilized rPP/rHDPE blends enhanced with the presence of PEMA.
Radiation Graft Copolymerization of Acrylic Acid onto Rice Straw Cellulose
Authors: Rahmawati  , Suhartini Meri , Budianto Emil 
Published: July 2015

SummaryIsolation of α‐cellulose from rice straw has been successfully carried out having 26.95% yield, with 74.28% crystallinity index. The α‐cellulose is then chemically modified ​​by grafting acrylic acid monomer onto cellulose using pre‐irradiation graft copolymerization technique. The optimum condition for grafting is obtained at 30 kGy radiation doses, 10% monomer concentration, 60 °C grafting temperature and 120 min reaction time, with 84.12% grafting average. The infrared spectroscopy showed a new absorption band at 1720 cm−1 in the modified cellulose, which can be attributed to the presence of carbonyl group of acrylic acid. FESEM imaging showed that the acrylic acid grafting leads to an increase in the roughness and width of the cellulose. The grafting process was found to increase final decomposition temperature of the fibers.
Line source in a poroelastic layer bounded by an elastic space
Authors: Marck Julien , Savitski Alexei A. , Detournay Emmanuel 
Published: July 2015

SummaryThe fundamental solution of a continuous line source, injecting fluid at a constant rate over the thickness of a poroelastic reservoir bounded by infinite impermeable elastic layers, is derived in this paper. This idealized problem has applications in hydrogeology and in petroleum engineering, as it can be used to assess the mechanical perturbations caused by injection or withdrawal of fluid in the subsurface through a vertical well. Construction of the solution takes advantage of the uncoupling of the pore pressure field, which, in this particular case, is given by the classical singular solution of the diffusion equation for an infinite line source. The mechanical fields then are determined by solving an elasticity‐like problem with a body force field proportional to the time‐dependent pore pressure gradient. On account of the problem symmetries, the Navier equations of elasticity reduce to two uncoupled partial differential equations for the radial and vertical (axial) displacement components, which are solved by a twofold application of Fourier and Hankel transforms. The solution exhibits different regimes at small, intermediate, and large times. When the diffusion radius, proportional to the square root of time, is smaller than or comparable to the thickness of the permeable layer, the induced deformation is confined to a region with a characteristic dimension of the same order as the diffusion radius. At large time, when the diffusion radius is large compared with the permeable layer thickness, the deformation rate in the reservoir is essentially oedometric (uniaxial). The different regimes of solutions are justified with a conceptual model based on identifying the evolving characteristics of complementary interior and exterior domain problems. The derived solution can serve as a valuable benchmark for coupled reservoir simulators. It also provides insights in to such problems as waterflooding, shearing at reservoir/cap rock interfaces, and stress redistribution around producing wells. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal replacement of continuously degrading systems in partially observed environments
Authors: Flory John A. , Kharoufeh Jeffrey P. , Abdul‐Malak David T. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTMotivated by wind energy applications, we consider the problem of optimally replacing a stochastically degrading component that resides and operates in a partially observable environment. The component's rate of degradation is modulated by the stochastic environment process, and the component fails when it is accumulated degradation first reaches a fixed threshold. Assuming periodic inspection of the component, the objective is to minimize the long‐run average cost per unit time of performing preventive and reactive replacements for two distinct cases. The first case examines instantaneous replacements and fixed costs, while the second considers time‐consuming replacements and revenue losses accrued during periods of unavailability. Formulated and solved are mixed state space, partially observable Markov decision process models, both of which reveal the optimality of environment‐dependent threshold policies with respect to the component's cumulative degradation level. Additionally, it is shown that for each degradation value, a threshold policy with respect to the environment belief state is optimal if the environment alternates between two states. The threshold policies are illustrated by way of numerical examples using both synthetic and real wind turbine data. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 62: 395–415, 2015
Use of demographic and pharmacy data to identify patients included within both the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) and The Health Improvement Network (THIN)
Authors: Carbonari Dean M. , Saine M. Elle , Newcomb Craig W. , Blak Betina , Roy Jason A. , Haynes Kevin , Wood Jennifer , Gallagher Arlene M. , Bhullar Harshvinder , Cardillo Serena , Hennessy Sean , Strom Brian L. , Lo Re Vincent 
Published: July 2015

AbstractPurposePharmacoepidemiology researchers often utilize data from two UK electronic medical record databases, the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) and The Health Improvement Network (THIN), and may choose to combine the two in an effort to increase sample size. To minimize duplication of data, previous studies examined the practice‐level overlap between these databases. However, the proportion of overlapping patients remains unknown. We developed a method using demographic and pharmacy variables to identify patients included in both CPRD and THIN, and applied this method to measure the proportion of overlapping patients who initiated the oral anti‐diabetic drug saxagliptin.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional study among patients initiating saxagliptin in CPRD and THIN between October 2009 and September 2012. Within both databases, we identified patients: (i) ≥18 years, (ii) newly prescribed saxagliptin, and (iii) with ≥180 days enrollment prior to saxagliptin initiation. Demographic data (birth year, sex, patient registration date, family number, and marital status) and prescriptions (including dates) for the first two oral anti‐diabetic drugs prescribed within the study period were used to identify matching patients.ResultsAmong 4202 CPRD and 3641 THIN patients initiating saxagliptin, 2574 overlapping patients (61% of CPRD saxagliptin initiators; 71% of THIN saxagliptin initiators) were identified. Among these patients, 2474 patients (96%) perfectly matched on all demographic and prescription data.ConclusionsWithin each database, over 60% of patients initiating saxagliptin were included within both CPRD and THIN. Combined demographic and prescription data can be used to identify patients included in both CPRD and THIN. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Successful implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator implantation through a communicating branch of the persistent left superior vena cava
Authors: Kumar Vineet , Yoshida Naoki , Yamada Takumi 
Published: July 2015

AbstractA left pectoral dual chamber implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) was successfully implanted through a small branch communicating between a persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) and right‐sided venous drainage with long sheaths. Postprocedural computed tomography identified the communicating branch. ICD lead implantation through a PLSVC is challenging and sometimes unsuccessful. This case illustrates an alternative approach for ICD lead implantation in patients with a PLSVC. A PLSVC system should be carefully inspected for any communicating branches that can be utilized for lead implantation in order to increase the chance of success and minimize the risk of complications.
Molecular identification of the strongyloid nematodeOesophagostomum aculeatumin the Asian wild elephantElephas maximus
Authors: Phuphisut O. , Maipanich W. , Pubampen S. , Yindee M. , Kosoltanapiwat N. , Nuamtanong S. , Ponlawat A. , Adisakwattana P. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe transmission of zoonoses by wildlife, including elephants, is a growing global concern. In this study, we screened for helminth infections among Asian wild elephants (Elephas maximus) of the Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary, Kanchanaburi, Thailand. Elephant faecal samples (45) were collected from the sanctuary grounds during January through November 2013 and assayed individually using the tetranucleotide microsatellite technique. Microscopic examination indicated a high prevalence of strongylids (93.0%) and low prevalences of trichurids (2.3%) and ascarids (2.3%). To identify the strongylid species, small subunit (SSU) rDNA sequences were amplified from copro-DNA and compared with sequences in GenBank. The generated SSU-rDNA sequences comprised five distinct haplotypes that were closely related toOesophagostomum aculeatum. A phylogenetic analysis that incorporated related nematodes yielded a tree separated into two main clades, one containing our samples and human and domestic animal hookworms and the other consisting ofStrongyloides. The present results indicate thatO. aculeatumin local elephants is a potential source of helminthiasis in human and domestic animals in this wild-elephant irrupted area.
Special topics in plasma confinement
Authors: Taylor J. B. , Newton S. L. 
Published: July 2015

These notes are based on lectures given by one of us (J.B.T.) at the University of
Texas in Austin in 1991. Part I concerns some basic features of plasma confinement by
magnetic fields as an introduction to an account of plasma relaxation in Part II.
Part III discusses confinement by magnetic mirrors, especially minimum-$B$ systems. It also includes a general discussion of adiabatic
invariants and of the principle of maximal ordering in perturbation theory. Part IV
is devoted to the analysis of perturbations in toroidal plasmas and the stability of
ballooning modes.
Comparative Social Policy Analysis and Active Labour Market Policy: Putting Quality before Quantity
Authors: CLASEN JOCHEN , CLEGG DANIEL , GOERNE ALEXANDER 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIn the past decade, active labour market policy (ALMP) has become a major topic in comparative social policy analysis, with scholars exploiting cross-national variation to seek to identify the determinants of policy development in this central area of the ‘new welfare state’. In this paper, we argue that better integration of this policy field into social policy scholarship requires rather more critical engagement with considerable methodological, conceptual and theoretical challenges in order to analyse these policies comparatively. Most fundamentally, rather more reflection is needed on what the substantially relevant dimensions of variation in ALMP from a social policy perspective actually are, as well as enhanced efforts to ensure that it is those that are being analysed and compared.
Engaging older people in healthy and active lifestyles: a systematic review
Authors: MENICHETTI JULIA , CIPRESSO PIETRO , BUSSOLIN DARIO , GRAFFIGNA GUENDALINA 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTIn 2002, the World Health Organization emphasised the concept of active ageing to manage and increase the last third of life. Although many efforts have been made to optimise treatment management, less attention has been paid to health promotion initiatives. To date, few shared guidelines exist that promote an active life in healthy older targets. To fill this gap, we conducted a systematic review to map health promotion interventions that targeted an active and healthy ageing among older citizens. Articles containing the key term active ageing and seven synonyms were searched for in the electronic databases. Because we were interested in actions aimed to promote healthier lifestyles, we connected the string with the term health. A total of 3,918 titles were retrieved and 20 articles were extracted. Twelve of the 20 studies used group interventions, five interventions targeted the individual level and three interventions targeted the community level. Interventions differed for the health focus of the programmes, which ranged from physical activity interventions to social participation or cognitive functioning. Most of the studies aimed to act on psychological components. The review suggests that different interventions promoted for active ageing are effective in improving specific healthy and active lifestyles; however, no studies were concerned directly with a holistic process of citizen health engagement to improve long-term outcomes.
Transmission and diffusion: Linguistic change in the regional French of Béarn
Authors: MOONEY DAMIEN 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTThis article examines the seemingly dichotomous linguistic processes of transmission and diffusion (Labov, 2007) in the regional variety of French spoken in Béarn, southwestern France. Using a sociophonetic apparent time methodology, an analysis of nasal vowel quality provides evidence for the advancement of linguistic changes from below taking place between successive generations during the transmission process, as well as for change from above taking place in the variety as a result of exposure to diffusing non-local varieties of French. The results address Labov's (2007) assertion that it is rare to investigate incremental changes occurring from below in European dialectological studies and shed light on the transmission–diffusion interface by showing the adoption of an individual change from above to instigate a faithfully-transmitted counterclockwise chain shift in the regional French nasal vowel system.
Non-invasive assessment of porcine oocyte quality by supravital staining of cumulus–oocyte complexes with lissamine green B
Authors: Dutta Rahul , Li Shun , Fischer Konrad , Kind Alexander , Flisikowska Tatiana , Flisikowski Krzysztof , Rottmann Oswald , Schnieke Angelika 
Published: July 2015

SummaryWe evaluated the usefulness of lissamine green B (LB) staining of cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) as a non-invasive method of predicting maturational and developmental competence of slaughterhouse-derived porcine oocytes cultured in vitro. Cumulus cells of freshly aspirated COCs were evaluated either morphologically on the basis of thickness of cumulus cell layers, or stained with LB, which penetrates only non-viable cells. The extent of cumulus cell staining was taken as an inverse indicator of membrane integrity. The two methods of COC grading were then examined as predictors of nuclear maturation and development after parthenogenetic activation. In both cases LB staining proved a more reliable indicator than morphological assessment (P < 0.05). The relationship between LB staining and cumulus cell apoptosis was also examined. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay for DNA fragmentation revealed that oocytes within COCs graded as low quality by either LB staining or visual morphology showed significantly greater DNA fragmentation (P < 0.05) than higher grades, and that LB and visual grading were of similar predictive value. Expression of the stress response gene TP53 showed significantly higher expression in COCs graded as low quality by LB staining. However expression of the apoptosis-associated genes BAK and CASP3 was not significantly different between high or low grade COCs, suggesting that mRNA expression of BAK and CASP3 is not a reliable method of detecting apoptosis in porcine COCs. Evaluation of cumulus cell membrane integrity by lissamine green B staining thus provides a useful new tool to gain information about the maturational and developmental competence of porcine oocytes.