bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Balancing trade‐off issues in land use change and the impact on streamflow and salinity management
Authors: Cheng Xiang , Benke Kurt K. , Beverly Craig , Christy Brendan , Weeks Anna , Barlow Kirsten , Reid Mark 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe south‐west region of the Goulburn–Broken catchment in the south‐eastern Murray–Darling Basin in Australia faces a range of natural resource challenges. A balanced strategy is required to achieve the contrasting objectives of remediation of land salinization and reducing salt export, while maintaining water supply security to satisfy human consumption and support ecosystems. This study linked the Catchment Analysis Tool (CAT), comprising a suite of farming system models, to the catchment‐scale CATNode hydrological model to investigate the effects of land use change and climate variation on catchment streamflow and salt export. The modelling explored and contrasted the impacts of a series of different revegetation and climate scenarios. The results indicated that targeted revegetation to only satisfy biodiversity outcomes within a catchment is unlikely to have much greater impact on streamflow and salt load in comparison with simple random plantings. Additionally, the results also indicated that revegetation to achieve salt export reduction can effectively reduce salt export while having a disproportionately smaller affect on streamflows. Furthermore, streamflow declines can be minimized by targeting revegetation activities without significantly altering salt export. The study also found that climate change scenarios will have an equal if not more significant impact on these issues over the next 70 years. Uncertainty in CATNode streamflow predictions was investigated because of the effect of parameter uncertainty. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immediate post‐implantation skin immobilization decreases skin regression around percutaneous osseointegrated prosthetic implant systems
Authors: Holt Brian Mueller , Bachus Kent N. , Beck James Peter , Bloebaum Roy Drake , Jeyapalina Sujee 
Published: December 2012

AbstractA percutaneous, osseointegrated (OI) prosthetics are alternative docking systems for upper‐ and lower‐extremity prostheses. Persistent inflammation and micro‐motion are known to cause negative soft‐tissue adaptation in wound healing and may also be detrimental to implant longevity. In this study, a unique single‐stage sheep amputation and implantation model was developed to assess the efficacy of a porous coated sub‐dermal fixation surface in the prevention of skin regression around a percutaneous osseointegrated prosthetic implant. Porous coated and smooth sub‐dermal fixation surface prosthetics were implanted in the right forelimb of skeletally mature sheep for up to 12 months. Skin regression kinetics and sub‐dermal fixation surface coverage were measured from histological samples. Quantitative measurements of porous coated surfaces yielded skin migration rates of 0.90 ± 0.23, 0.56 ± 0.15, 0.44 ± 0.22 mm/month for the 6, 9, and 12 month animals, respectively. In addition, three load dependent regions of skin adaptation were identified; an interface, a transition, and a stress absorbance region. Immediate post‐implantation immobilization of the skin may foster improved load‐bearing percutaneous device outcomes. The skin adaptations reported here will aid in informing the design and optimization of future percutaneous, OI devices intended for the treatment of upper‐ and lower‐extremity amputees. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Influence of different amino acid groups on the free radical scavenging capability of multi walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Amiri Ahmad , Memarpoor‐Yazdi Mina , Shanbedi Mehdi , Eshghi Hossein 
Published: December 2012

AbstractMulti‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were functionalized with a series of amino acids (lysine, arginine, cysteine, histidine, and aspartic acid) by sonication. Surface functional groups of the treated MWCNTs were investigated by infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The results indicated the formation of various amino acid functionalities on the MWCNT surface, as well as the improved dispersion of MWCNTs in water. After functionalization, the antioxidant activity of all treated samples was analyzed using 2,2‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) (ABTS), 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and hydroxyl radical scavenging, metal ion chelating, and reducing power assays. The antioxidant activity of the functionalized MWCNTs was 2–2.5 times greater than that of reduced glutathione (GSH) in ABTS radical scavenging, 1.5–5 times greater than that of GSH in reducing power, 1.3–1.8 times greater than that of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) in DPPH scavenging, and 3–10 times greater than that of GSH in hydroxyl radical scavenging. Accordingly, the amino acid‐functionalized MWCNTs were appeared to be more potent than BHA and GSH synthetic antioxidants, and can thus be considered as excellent antioxidants to scavenge free radicals. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Effect of chronic inflammation and immune response on regeneration induced by decellularized bovine pericardium
Authors: Umashankar P. R. , Arun T. , Kumary T. V. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractDecellularised tissue produces a variety of host responses ranging from constructive remodeling to scarring on account of its differences in the source of tissue, processing or sterilization methods. In this study, in vivo regeneration induced by decellularised bovine pericardium with or without mild glutaraldehyde crosslinking was studied in relation to its immune and inflammatory response using rat abdominal regeneration model. Mild glutaraldehyde crosslinking was done to subdue inflammatory and immune response without compromising host cell incorporation and graft remodeling. Evaluations were done at both 21 and 90 days. Un‐crosslinked decellularised bovine pericardium showed more intense macrophage response predominantly of M2 phenotype at 90 days indicating chronic inflammatory response compared to mildly crosslinked group. This group also showed significant increase in plasma cell and lymphocyte count indicating immune stimulation. Lymphocyte transformation test detected presence of bovine pericardial antigen sensitized lymphocytes at both periods in un‐crosslinked group. Lymphocytes from mildly crosslinked group failed to respond in this test at both periods. Significantly higher antibody response was also noted at both periods in un‐crosslinked group. However, abdominal wall regeneration was observed only in animals implanted with un‐crosslinked decellularised bovine pericardium at 90 days. From the above findings, it is inferred that un‐crosslinked decellularised bovine pericardium produced significant chronic inflammatory response at 90 days and stimulated both humoral and cell mediated immune response in comparison to mildly crosslinked decellularised bovine pericardium. Yet this group produced skeletal muscle formation within graft at 90 days. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
A comparison of allogeneic and autologous mesenchymal stromal cells and osteoprogenitor cells in augmenting bone formation around massive bone tumor prostheses
Authors: Coathup Melanie J. , Kalia Priya , Konan Sujith , Mirza Kamran , Blunn Gordon W. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractSpraying autologous mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) onto hydroxyapatite (HA)‐coated ingrowth collars, located at the shoulder of massive bone tumor implants, significantly increased extracortical bone‐bridging and osteointegration in an ovine model. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that allogeneic MSCs and osteoprogenitor cells (OPCs) will augment bone growth equally when compared with autologous BMSCs. All collars were HA coated. In group i, the HA collar was coated with fibrin glue only. Cells were combined with fibrin glue and implants received (ii) 2 × 106 autologous MSCs, (iii) 10 × 106 autologous MSCs, (iv) 2 × 106 OPCs, (v) 10 × 106 OPCs, or (vi) 10 × 106 allogeneic MSCs. In group vii, collars were HA coated only. New bone area and bone‐implant contact onto the ingrowth collar was quantified radiographically and using histological techniques. Results showed that no extracortical bone formed adjacent to any collars sprayed with allogeneic MSCs and significantly more new bone was measured when all other experimental groups were compared (p < 0.05 in all cases). Most bone growth and bone‐implant contact occurred in the 10 × 106 OPC group. Spraying MSCs or OPCs onto the implant surface may be used in patients; however, further work is needed to determine the role of allogeneic cells in bone augmentation in vivo. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
On the performance of long‐range‐corrected density functional theory and reduced‐size polarized LPol‐n basis sets in computations of electric dipole (hyper)polarizabilities of π‐conjugated molecules
Authors: Baranowska‐Ła̧czkowska Angelika , Bartkowiak Wojciech , Góra Robert W. , Pawłowski Filip , Zaleśny Robert 
Published: December 2012

AbstractStatic longitudinal electric dipole (hyper)polarizabilities are calculated for six medium‐sized π‐conjugated organic molecules using recently developed LPol‐n basis set family to assess their performance. Dunning's correlation‐consistent basis sets of triple‐ζ quality combined with MP2 method and supported by CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pVDZ results are used to obtain the reference values of analyzed properties. The same reference is used to analyze (hyper)polarizabilities predicted by selected exchange‐correlation functionals, particularly those asymptotically corrected. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simulating GTP:Mg and GDP:Mg with a simple force field: A structural and thermodynamic analysis
Authors: Simonson Thomas , Satpati Priyadarshi 
Published: December 2012

AbstractDi‐ and tri‐phosphate nucleotides are essential cofactors for many proteins, usually in an Mg2+‐bound form. Proteins like GTPases often detect the difference between NDP and NTP and respond by changing conformations. To study such complexes, simple, fixed charge force fields have been used, which allow long simulations and precise free energy calculations. The preference for NTP or NDP binding depends on many factors, including ligand structure and Mg2+ coordination and the changes they undergo upon binding. Here, we use a simple force field to examine two Mg2+ coordination modes for the unbound GDP and GTP: direct, or “Inner Sphere” (IS) coordination by one or more phosphate oxygens and indirect, “Outer Sphere” (OS) coordination involving one or more bridging waters. We compare GTP: and GDP:Mg binding with OS and IS coordination; combining the results with experimental data then indicates that GTP prefers the latter. We also examine different kinds of IS coordination and their sensitivity to a key force field parameter: the optimal Mg:oxygen van der Waals distance Rmin. Increasing Rmin improves the Mg:oxygen distances, the GTP: and GDP:Mg binding affinities, and the fraction of GTP:Mg with β + γ phosphate coordination, but does not improve or change the GTP/GDP affinity difference, which remains much larger than experiment. It has no effect on the free energy of GDP binding to a GTPase. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A numerically stable restrained electrostatic potential charge fitting method
Authors: Zeng Juan , Duan LiLi , Zhang John Z.H. , Mei Ye 
Published: December 2012

AbstractInspired by the idea of charge decomposition in calculation of the dipole preserving and polarization consistent charges (Zhang et al., J. Comput. Chem. 2011, 32, 2127), we have proposed a numerically stable restrained electrostatic potential (ESP)‐based charge fitting method for protein. The atomic charge is composed of two parts. The dominant part is fixed to a predefined value (e.g., AMBER charge), and the residual part is to be determined by restrained fitting to residual ESP on grid points around the molecule. Nonuniform weighting factors as a function of the dominant charge are assigned to the atoms. Because the residual part is several folds to several orders smaller than the dominant part, the impact of ill‐conditioning is alleviated. This charge fitting method can be used in quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) simulations and similar studies, where QM calculated electronic properties are frequently mapped to partial atomic charges. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification of Human Corneal Epithelial Stem Cells on the Basis of High ABCG2 Expression Combined With a LargeN/C Ratio
Authors: Priya Chidambaranathan Gowri , Prasad Tilak , Prajna Namperumalsamy Venkatesh , Muthukkaruppan Veerappan 
Published: December 2012

PurposeTill date there is no exclusive marker for human corneal epithelial stem cells (CESCs). In this study, our strategy is to combine high expression of ABCG2, a putative SC marker with high N/C ratio to develop a specific method for identification of CESCs.MethodsLimbal/corneal epithelial cells (LECs/CECs) were isolated from cadaver eyes by enzymatic treatment and the cytospin smears/cryosections were immunostained for ABCG2, p63, or connexin‐43 (Cx‐43) and counterstained with propidium iodide/DAPI. Analysis was carried out for (1) ABCG2 expression, N/C ratio, (2) p63, ABCG2, N/C ratio, and (3) ABCG2, Cx‐43, N/C ratio using confocal/fluorescence microscopy.ResultsABCG2 was highly expressed by cells in the basal and suprabasal layers of limbus. The SCs identified on the basis of our earlier method using high levels of p63 expression along with high (>0.7) N/C ratio were strongly positive for ABCG2 and negative for differentiation marker Cx‐43. High expression of ABCG2 was also observed in cells with high p63 expression and low (<0.7) N/C ratio; however, they were positive for Cx‐43. Combining high ABCG2 expression with large N/C ratio in fluorescence microscopy identified 5.3 ± 3.5% LECs as putative SCs and this was confirmed by confocal microscopic analysis.ConclusionsWe demonstrate the importance of combining ABCG2 expression with N/C ratio for identification and quantification of human CESCs. This method will have application in evaluating the role of niche cells/factors in the maintenance of stemness. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:242–248, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Microscopic, molecular, and biochemical investigations to characterize a benthic cyanoprokaryote Leptolyngbya strainfrom Egypt
Authors: El Semary Nermin Adel 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTMicroscopic, molecular, and biochemical investigations were conducted to describe a benthic mat‐forming Leptolyngbya isolate collected from wastewater canal in Helwan area, Egypt. Microscopic examination revealed that the isolate was filamentous, nonheterocystous, with obvious granular surface ornamentation. Electron microscopy was used to reveal the isolate's ultrastructure. Cross walls were thick with uneven deposition. Thylakoids were convoluted and irregularly distributed. Granular content differed from one cell to the other probably due to their physiological stages/position within the filaments and/or their age. Nycridial cells were present. Highly refractile gas vesicle‐like structures were detected and their identity as gas vesicles was confirmed by amplifying the gene coding for the gas vesicle protein GvpA. The presence of gas vesicles in benthic microorganisms is intriguing, and it is possible that those vesicles serve as a floating and dispersal mechanism as they increase in filaments that are about to break and release vacuolated hormogonia. To further confirm the isolate's identity, molecular analysis using 16S rRNA gene was performed. The sequence showed only 94% similarity to Leptolyngbya badia and less than 92% to other leptolyngbya. The phylogenetic analyses showed the coclustering of this strain with other Leptolyngbya strain. The fatty acid composition, used as a chemotaxonomic marker, revealed the presence of a considerable amount of polyunsaturated acids. Nevertheless, saturated fatty acids represented the highest proportion of the total fatty. Surprisingly, fatty acids of relatively limited occurrence within oscillatorian cyanobacteria such as saturated myristic fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid C16:3 were found. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:249–257, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Novel Use of Scanning Electron Microscopy for Detection of Iron‐Induced Morphological Changes in Human Blood
Authors: Pretorius Etheresia , Vermeulen Natasha , Bester Janette , lipinski Boguslaw 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTFibrinogen is key to the maintenance of hemostasis and is an acute phase protein that is part of the coagulation cascade of proteins. It plays a fundamental role in inflammation, particularly as indicator for a proinflammatory state and is a prominent marker for developing vascular inflammatory diseases. The ultrastructure of fibrin nets can be studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with the addition of thrombin to plasma. In inflammatory conditions such as thromboembolic ischemic stroke and diabetes, the fibrin networks are changed to from dense matted fibrin deposits (DMDs) instead of typical netlike appearance. Similar DMDs can also be induced with the addition of FeCl2 and FeCl3. Importantly, the iron‐induced DMDs look similar to those from patients with prothrombotic conditions. Excessive or misplaced tissue iron now is recognized to pose a substantial health risk. The current research therefore investigates the establishment of a laboratory fibrinogen model to study that might mimic fibrin fiber generation that is achieved using plasma from healthy and diseased individuals. Furthermore, to determine whether the addition of iron to purified fibrinogen will show DMDs and whether hydrophilic agents can prevent them. We conclude that SEM is a very effective tool for the visualization of circulatory consequences of the interaction of iron‐induced hydroxyl radicals with human fibrinogen. Furthermore, this novel fibrinogen model provides a convenient method to study the interactions of the intramolecular and intermolecular hydrophobic forces responsible for the maintenance of the tertiary structure of native fibrin(ogen) and the prevention of iron‐induced DMDs formation by hydrophilic agents. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:268–271, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Risk factors for and incidence of acute hepatitis C after the achievement of blood supply safety in Italy: Results from the national surveillance system
Authors: Spada Enea , Mele Alfonso , Mariano Andrea , Zuccaro Ornella , Tosti Maria Elena ,   on behalf of SEIEVA collaborating group
Published: December 2012

AbstractSurveillance systems for acute hepatitis C allow monitoring of disease incidence trends and transmission patterns. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological profile of reported cases of symptomatic acute hepatitis C in Italy after the achievement of blood supply safety. The incidence of symptomatic acute hepatitis C since 1991 was estimated. Risk factors for acute hepatitis C were analyzed for the period 2003–2010 through a case–control study within a population‐based surveillance for acute viral hepatitis. From 1991 to 2010, the incidence decreased from 2 to 0.2 per 100,000, with a more evident decrease among persons aged 15–24 years. During 2003–2010, 1,053 cases were reported. Intravenous drug use (adjusted odds ratio [adjOR], 30.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 18.9–49.1), cohabitation or sexual partnership with an hepatitis C virus (HCV) carrier (adjOR, 11.2; 95% CI, 6.6–19.2), nosocomial exposure (adjOR, 6.6; 95% CI, 4.6–9.4); unsafe sexual practices (adjOR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.9–5.2), and cosmetic treatments with percutaneous exposure (adjOR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2–2.4) were independently associated with acute hepatitis C. Population attributable risk estimates indicated nosocomial exposure (39.6%) and intravenous drug use (30.5%) as responsible for most cases. In conclusion, the incidence of symptomatic acute hepatitis C is declining in Italy. Currently, the most important risk factors are: having an HCV‐positive household or sexual partner, unsafe sexual practices, cosmetic percutaneous treatments, intravenous drug use, and nosocomial exposure; the latter two factors are responsible for most cases. Effective prevention programs for intravenous drug users and strict adherence to universal precautions in healthcare settings are needed. J. Med. Virol. 85:433–440, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rainfall variations in south‐eastern Australia part 1: consolidating evidence from pre‐instrumental documentary sources, 1788–1860
Authors: Fenby Claire , Gergis Joëlle 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTThis study fills an important gap in south‐eastern Australia's climate record by compiling qualitative historical data from the time of first European settlement of Australia in 1788 until widespread meteorological observations become available in 1860. In this study, we consolidate twelve documentary‐based rainfall chronologies for five sub‐regions of south‐eastern Australia (SEA) over the 1788–1860 period using a range of secondary historical sources. Our analysis identified 27 drought years in SEA between 1788 and 1860, and 14 years of high rainfall in New South Wales (NSW) between 1788 and 1840. Given that our current understanding of Australian drought is still largely confined to the post‐1900 period covered by instrumental records, we provide an outline of the drought and wet periods to provide a consolidated reference of historical accounts of lesser known pre‐instrumental rainfall variations for researchers working in the field. This index is also intended to serve as an independent inter‐annual verification source for palaeoclimate reconstructions being developed in the Australian region. This study confirms that SEA has experienced considerable rainfall variability that has influenced past Australian societies since the first European settlement in 1788. Of the droughts identified in this study, 1837–1841 was the longest and most widespread event influencing all subregions. The 1793–1809 period was particularly wet, with periods of heavy rainfall often resulting in devastating floods on the Hawkesbury River region of Sydney. Despite the geographical biases present in the documentary material, it is clear that historical records provide important information on rainfall variations in SEA and their societal impacts over the 1788–1860 pre‐instrumental period. The results presented here provide an important basis for developing an extended rainfall index for eastern NSW from 1788–2008, and is the subject of part 2 of this study (Gergis J, Ashcroft L. 2012. Rainfall variations in south‐eastern Australia part 2: a comparison of documentary, early instrumental and palaeoclimate records, 1788–2008. International Journal of Climatology).
Recent Trends in the Chemistry of Shape‐Memory Polymers
Authors: Julich‐Gruner Konstanze K. , Löwenberg Candy , Neffe Axel T. , Behl Marc , Lendlein Andreas 
Published: December 2012

AbstractShape‐memory polymers (SMPs) are stimuli‐sensitive materials capable of performing complex movements on demand, which makes them interesting candidates for various applications, for example, in biomedicine or aerospace. This trend article highlights current approaches in the chemistry of SMPs, such as tailored segment chemistry to integrate additional functions and novel synthetic routes toward permanent and temporary netpoints. Multiphase polymer networks and multimaterial systems illustrate that SMPs can be constructed as a modular system of different building blocks and netpoints. Future developments are aiming at multifunctional and multistimuli‐sensitive SMPs.