bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Riboswitches Based on Kissing Complexes for the Detection of Small Ligands
Authors: Durand Guillaume , Lisi Samuele , Ravelet Corinne , Dausse Eric , Peyrin Eric , Toulmé Jean‐Jacques 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBiosensors derived from aptamers were designed for which folding into a hairpin shape is triggered by binding of the cognate ligand. These aptamers (termed aptaswitches) thus switch between folded and unfolded states in the presence and absence of the ligand, respectively. The apical loop of the folded aptaswitch is recognized by a second hairpin called the aptakiss through loop–loop or kissing interactions, whereas the aptakiss does not bind the unfolded aptaswitch. Therefore, the formation of a kissing complex signals the presence of the ligand. Aptaswitches were designed that enable the detection of GTP and adenosine in a specific and quantitative manner by surface plasmon resonance when using a grafted aptakiss or in solution by anisotropy measurement with a fluorescently labeled aptakiss. This approach is generic and can potentially be extended to the detection of any molecule for which hairpin aptamers have been identified, as long as the apical loop is not involved in ligand binding.
Separating Xylene Isomers by Commensurate Stacking of p‐Xylene within Channels of MAF‐X8
Authors: Torres‐Knoop Ariana , Krishna Rajamani , Dubbeldam David 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe development of energy‐efficient processes for selective separation of p‐xylene from mixtures with its isomers is of vital importance in the petrochemical industries. Current industrial practice uses BaX zeolite that has high adsorption selectivity for p‐xylene. Finding para‐selective structures is challenging. With state‐of‐the‐art simulation methodologies we systematically screened a wide variety of zeolites and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Our investigations highlight the crucial importance of the channel dimension on the separation. MAF‐X8 is particularly noteworthy because the channel dimensions and geometry allow “commensurate stacking” which we exploit as a separation mechanism at saturation conditions. Due to a significantly improved capacity compared to BaX, the cycle times for p‐xylene with MAF‐X8 are found to be about a factor of 4.5 longer. This is expected to result in significant process improvements.
Control of Three‐Dimensional Cell Adhesion by the Chirality of Nanofibers in Hydrogels
Authors: Liu Guo‐Feng , Zhang Di , Feng Chuan‐Liang 
Published: June 2014

AbstractIn the three‐dimensional (3D) extracellular matrix (ECM), the influence of nanofiber chirality on cell behavior is very important; the helical nanofibrous structure is closely related to the relevant biological events. Herein, we describe the use of the two enantiomers of a 1,4‐benzenedicarboxamide phenylalanine derivative as supramolecular gelators to investigate the influence of the chirality of nanofibers on cell adhesion and proliferation in three dimensions. It was found that left‐handed helical nanofibers can increase cell adhesion and proliferation, whereas right‐handed nanofibers have the opposite effect. These effects are ascribed to the mediation of the stereospecific interaction between chiral nanofibers and fibronectin. The results stress the crucial role of the chirality of nanofibers on cell‐adhesion and cell‐proliferation behavior in 3D environments.
Effects of rare earth samarium oxide on the properties of polypropylene‐graft‐cardanol grafted by reactive extrusion
Authors: Mao Xinggong , Deng Yi , Lin Jinhuo , Chen Qinhui 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTRare earth elements can improve the performance of polymers because of their special 4f orbitals. The nucleation and stabilization of radical groups of rare earth particles can affect the structure of polypropylene (PP) and its properties. In this study, samarium oxide (Sm2O3) particles were used as a cocatalyst and nucleating agent in polypropylene‐graft‐cardanol (CAPP) grafted by reactive extrusion. The properties of polypropylene‐graft‐cardanol containing modified Sm2O3 with a titanate coupling agent (CAPPMS) were investigated by ultraviolet–visible spectrometry, polarizing microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, universal testing, and capillary rheometry with the reference of CAPP containing unmodified Sm2O3 particles. The results show that the titanate coupling agent (TCA‐401) coated on the surface of the Sm2O3 particles improved the dispersion of the Sm2O3 particles and the adhesion between the Sm2O3 particles and CAPP matrix. The Sm2O3 particles promoted more cardanol to graft onto PP. Acting as nucleator for CAPP, the Sm2O3 particles increased the crystallization rate, increased the melting temperature, and decreased the spherulite size of CAPP. The modified Sm2O3 particles showed a greater effect on the mechanical and rheological properties than the unmodified Sm2O3 particles did. The tensile strength, impact strength and flexural strength of CAPPMS increased by 10 MPa, 0.64 kJ/m2, and 6.5 MPa, respectively, compared to those of CAPP when we used 4.5 mol % modified Sm2O3 particles. The viscosity of CAPPMS increased to a certain extent in the presence of the modified Sm2O3. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 41012.
Synthesis and characterization of novel twin‐tailed hydrophobically associated copolymers and their applications to Cr(III) removal from aqueous solutions
Authors: Kuang Wei , Gao Chuanwei 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTWater pollution is one of the most serious environmental problems facing society. The objective of this study was to provide an efficient and inexpensive way of removing Cr(III) from polluted water. Novel twin‐tailed hydrophobically associating copolymers (PAAD) were prepared by micellar copolymerization of acrylamide (AM) and sodium 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonate with N,N‐dibutylmethacrylamide in an aqueous solution. The PAAD series, comprising copolymers of different molecular weights (ranged from 1.42 to 1.78 × 106 g/mol) and compositions was characterized by gel permeation chromatography–multiangle laser light scattering, 1H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The surface activity, morphology, and aggregation properties of PAAD samples were measured by surface tension and dynamic light scattering. A schematic representation of the formation of Cr(OH)3 and its precipitation using PAAD samples as coagulant aid is discussed in the article. In addition, the Cr(OH)3–copolymer interaction, as investigated by precipitation experiments, demonstrated that these copolymers have good Cr(OH)3 binding capacity and potential as coagulant aid for the removal of Cr(III) from polluted water. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 41028.
Ethanol‐responsive characteristics of polyethersulfone composite membranes blended with poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) nanogels
Authors: Song Xiao‐Lu , Xie Rui , Luo Tao , Ju Xiao‐Jie , Wang Wei , Chu Liang‐Yin 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTEthanol‐responsive smart membranes with different microstructures are prepared from blends of polyethersulfone (PES) and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) nanogels by immersion precipitation phase inversion method in a convenient and controllable manner. The introduction of PNIPAM nanogels forms the microporous structures on the surface of the top skin layer and on the pore walls of the finger‐like porous sublayer of membranes. The ethanol‐responsive characteristics of the proposed PES composite membranes are systematically investigated. With increasing ethanol concentration in the range from 0 to 15 wt %, the trans‐membrane flux of ethanol solution increases. The microstructures and the resultant ethanol‐responsive characteristics of the composite membranes can be regulated by the content of PNIPAM nanogels blended in the membranes. The more the content of PNIPAM nanogels blended in the membranes, the more the number of the submicron pores is, and thus the better the ethanol‐responsive characteristics of the composite membranes. The proposed ethanol‐responsive smart membranes are expected to be combined with the traditional pervaporation membranes as a smart vavle to achieve continuous and highly efficient ethanol production during the biological fermentation. The preparation technique and results in this study provide valuable guidance for further design and the industrial‐scale fabrication of novel composite membranes for application in ethanol separation systems. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 41032.
Compatibilization of kraft lignin‐polyethylene composites using unreactive compatibilizers
Authors: Hu Lei , Stevanovic Tatjana , Rodrigue Denis 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTThis article presents a novel approach to compatibilize Kraft lignin with polyethylene that involves the use of modified poly (styrene‐co‐ethylene‐co‐butylene‐co‐styrene) (SEBS) as unreactive compatibilizers. As SEBS shows no compatibilizing effect on Kraft lignin‐polyethylene composites, SEBS was functionalized via nitration followed by amination to obtain nitrated (SEBS‐NO2) and aminated (SEBS‐NH2) SEBS. The compatibilizing effects of SEBS derivatives were studied by means of morphological and mechanical analyses. The results show that SEBS‐NO2 is less effective than SEBS‐NH2, the later displaying comparable compatibilizing efficiency to a commercial reactive compatibilizer based on maleated polyethylene. Overall, compatibilization was found to decrease lignin particle size. Addition of SEBS‐NH2 varying between 1% and 10% improved the tensile strength of composites by up to 96%, elongation at break by up to 64%, and impact strength by up to 48%. Finally, the crystallinity and density of the resulting composites were also studied. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 41040.
Graphene oxide reinforced chitosan/polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer bio‐nanocomposites
Authors: El Achaby Mounir , Essamlali Youness , El Miri Nassima , Snik Asmae , Abdelouahdi Karima , Fihri Aziz , Zahouily Mohamed , Solhy Abderrahim 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACTBio‐nanocomposite films based on chitosan/polyvinylpyrrolidone (CS/PVP) and graphene oxide (GO) were processed using the casting/evaporation technique. It has been found that the three components of bio‐nanocomposites can be easily mixed in controlled conditions enabling the formation of thick films with high quality, smooth surface and good flexibility. Structural and morphological characterizations showed that the GO sheets are well dispersed in the CS/PVP blend forming strong interfacial interactions that provide an enhanced load transfer between polymer chains and GO sheets thus improving their properties. It has been found that the water resistance of the CS/PVP blend is improved, and the hydrolytic degradation is limited by addition of 0.75 and 2 wt % GO. The modulus, strength, elongation and toughness of the bio‐nanocomposites are together increased. Herein, the steps to form new bio‐nanocomposite films have been described, taking the advantage of the combination of CS, PVP and GO to design the aforementioned bio‐nanocomposite films, which allow to have extraordinary properties that would have promising applications as eventual packaging materials. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 41042.
Timor‐Leste's Pursuit of Inclusive Opportunity
Authors: Sugden Craig 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe article asks if Timor‐Leste's high rate of economic growth has been matched by progress in reaching the young nation's goal of inclusive opportunity. The answer is ‘yes’. Opportunity is defined as a function of circumstances and policy, and is represented by usage of basic public services. It is concluded that opportunity generally improved for both poorer and richer groups during the first decade of formal independence, and the distribution of opportunity typically moved in favour of the poorer Timorese. A similar pattern of opportunity becoming more inclusive is found in other developing Asian and Pacific economies. Comparisons with these economies suggest that Timor‐Leste is a mid‐range performer. The findings provide encouragement that public policy is heading in the right direction in Timor‐Leste. The findings do, however, suggest that extra effort is needed to target the needs of the poorest Timorese and to raise the quality of government expenditure.
Integriertes Virtuelles Energielabor zur Planung nachhaltiger Projekte
Authors: Bort Bastian , Geißler Marie‐Christine 
Published: June 2014

AbstractIn Zukunft müssen – nach den Anforderungen der europäischen Richtlinie über die Gesamtenergieeffizienz von Gebäuden 2010/31/EU [1] – alle neuen öffentlichen Gebäude ab 2018 und alle anderen neuen Gebäude ab 2020 dem Niedrigstenergiestandard entsprechen. Des Weiteren wird von Bauherren immer häufiger eine nachhaltige Planung und Zertifizierung nach gängigen Zertifizierungssystemen wie dem Deutschen Gütesiegel für Nachhaltiges Bauen (DGNB), dem Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) oder der Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) für Gebäude sowie für ganze Stadtquartiere gefordert. Um diesen Anforderungen gerecht zu werden und eine hohe Nutzungsqualität und einen hohen Qualitätsstandard zu gewährleisten, verfolgen Projektteams einen lebenszyklusorientierten Ansatz zur Optimierung von Gebäuden und Quartieren. Hierfür wurde im Rahmen des EU‐Forschungsprojektes Holistic Energy Efficiency Simulation and Life Cycle Management Of Public Use Facilities (HESMOS; 09/2010‐12/2013) ein Integriertes Virtuelles Energielabor (IVEL) entwickelt, welches derzeit im EU‐Forschungsprojekt Collaborative Holistic Design Laboratory and Methodology for energy‐efficient Embedded Buildings (eeEmbedded 10/2013‐09/2017) weiterentwickelt wird.Integrated Virtual Energy Laboratory for the design of sustainable projects. According to the European Buildings Directive for the Energy Performance of Buildings 2010/31/EU [1] all new public buildings must correspond to the nearly zero energy standard from 2018 and all other new buildings from 2020. Furthermore, sustainable design and evaluation according to established certification systems such as the German Sustainable Building Certificate (DGNB), the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) is more and more requested by investors for buildings and entire neighbourhood developments. In order, to meet these requirements and to ensure a high quality of the building, project teams pursue a holistic life‐cycle approach to optimize buildings and neighbourhoods. In order to support this optimization process, an Integrated Virtual Energy Laboratory (IVEL) was developed during the EU research project Holistic Energy Efficiency Simulation and Lifecycle Management Of Public Use Facilities (09/2010‐12/2013 HESMOS) and will be further developed in the EU research project Collaborative Holistic Design Laboratory and Methodology for energy‐efficient Embedded Buildings (eeEmbedded 10/2013‐09/2017).
Optimierung des Eigenverbrauchs, der Eigendeckungsrate und der Netzbelastung von einem Mehrfamiliengebäude mit Elektromobilität
Authors: Hall Monika , Dorusch Falk , Geissler Achim 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAn einem kleinen, gut gedämmten Mehrfamilienhaus mit Elektromobilität und einer großen Photovoltaikanlage wird untersucht, welche Verbraucher sich für die Steigerung des Eigenverbrauchs eignen. Das detaillierte Monitoring weist aus, dass hierzu die Wärmepumpe der größte geeignete Einzelverbraucher ist. Mit der Limitierung der Laufzeit der Wärmepumpe auf die Tagesstunden kann gezeigt werden, dass die Gleichzeitigkeit von Elektrizitätsbezug und Photovoltaikertrag erhöht und damit nicht nur die Netzbelastung reduziert, sondern auch die Einspeisespitze zur Mittagszeit geglättet werden. Der thermische Komfort wird dabei nicht beeinflusst. Für die Gesamtbilanzierung des Gebäudes wird anhand der Messdaten die Eigendeckungs‐ und Eigenverbrauchsrate detailliert betrachtet. Verschiedene Bilanzzeiträume und Bilanzierungszeitschritte werden gegenübergestellt. Je kürzer der Bilanzzeitraum und die Zeitschritte gewählt werden, desto geringer sind die Eigendeckungs‐ und Eigenverbrauchsraten. Dies ist ein wichtiger Aspekt bei der Diskussion über die Anforderungen an die Gleichzeitigkeit in Gebäudestandards und normativen Berechnungsvorschriften der Gesamtenergiebilanzierung von Gebäuden.Optimization of self‐consumption, self‐cover rate and net interaction of an apartment building with electromobility. Based on a small, well insulated multi‐family dwelling with included e‐car and large PV installation the load with the highest potential for increasing self‐consumption is evaluated. The monitoring shows that the heat pump has the highest potential for increasing self‐consumption. The run‐time schedule of the heat pump is limited to daytime hours as a proof of concept. This increases the self‐consumption and decreases the net interaction and also shaves the peak electricity export at noon. The thermal comfort does not decrease, hereby. The self‐consumption rate and self‐cover rate both depend on the balancing time period and the time‐step chosen. This is an important aspect in regard to defining self‐consumption requirements for building labels or energy codes.
Auf der Suche nach dem Kostenoptimum in der energetischen Sanierung – eine Untersuchung anhand typischer Wohnbauten in Österreich
Authors: Stocker Emanuel , Tschurtschenthaler Martin 
Published: June 2014

AbstractDieser Artikel befasst sich mit der Thematik der kostenoptimalen energetischen Sanierung am Beispiel von typischen Wohngebäuden in Österreich. Das Kostenoptimum ergibt sich aus den jeweiligen Maßnahmen zur Reduzierung des Energiebedarfs und den sich daraus ergebenden Energiekosten. Die Berechnung erfolgte auf der Grundlage der Kapitalwertmethode. Die Berechnungen wurden mit Hilfe eines statistischen Programms anhand von Szenarien durchgeführt, wodurch es möglich ist, eine willkürliche Auswahl von Sanierungsmaßnahmen berechnen und darstellen zu lassen. Aus der Untersuchung geht hervor, dass das kostenoptimale Niveau bei einem Heizwärmebedarf von ca. 30–40 kWh/m2 BGF p.a. liegt. Da die Eingangsparameter der Berechnung vielfach auf zukunftsbasierten Annahmen basieren, wurde abschließend eine Sensitivitätsanalyse durchgeführt, wodurch die Einflüsse erhoben und dargestellt werden konnten. Daraus geht hervor, dass diese jeweils einen hohen Einfluss auf das Ergebnis haben und deshalb sorgfältig auszuwählen sind.In search of the cost optimised energy‐saving renovation – evaluation of typical residential buildings in Austria. This paper represents a study of cost‐optimal building renovation arrangements regarding the heating energy performance. The study is based on typically residential buildings with different building ages and therefore different constructions. The calculation method is compiled on standard energy demand and the net present value method. The results show that the cost‐optimal performance is between a heating energy demand of 30 to 40 kWh/m2 GFA p.a. The building age with the different construction qualities has a high effect on the results of the net present value. Also the investment costs of the different building renovation arrangements show a high effect on the results concerning the cost optimal renovation measurements. Where the insulation thicknesses of the envelope have proposed thicknesses of about 14–18 cm the windows only reach the highest U‐Value of 1.2 because of the higher investment costs. Furthermore the sensitivity analysis shows the high impact of the necessary input calculation parameters, like the energy price, the interest rate and the energy price variation. The study considers several ways which can improve the decisions about the renovation possibilities. These include not only the decision of the renovation but also the necessary arrangements, which could be integrated in the procurement.
A phase II trial of BAY 43‐9006 (sorafenib) (NSC‐724772) in patients with relapsing and resistant multiple myeloma: SWOG S0434
Authors: Srkalovic Gordan , Hussein Mohamad A. , Hoering Antje , Zonder Jeffrey A. , Popplewell Leslie L. , Trivedi Harsha , Mazzoni Sandy , Sexton Rachel , Orlowski Robert Z. , Barlogie Bart 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe authors assessed the overall response rate, including confirmed complete response (CR) and partial response, in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma treated with sorafenib. Qualitative and quantitative toxicities associated with this regimen were evaluated. Patients were eligible if they had a confirmed diagnosis of refractory or relapsed (RR) multiple myeloma (MM) with measurable monoclonal protein. Patients had to have adequate renal, hepatic, hematologic, and cardiac function with a Zubrod performance status of 0–2. Patients were given 400 mg sorafenib by mouth twice daily for 28‐day treatment cycles. These patients were followed up for a maximum of 3 years to assess responses and adverse events. Twenty‐three patients were enrolled. Of these, five were found to be ineligible for the following reasons: four had insufficient documentation of the baseline disease and one patient did not have measurable disease. All eighteen eligible patients were evaluable for toxicities. Three patients experienced grade 4 toxicities: one with thrombocytopenia, one with anemia, and one with renal failure. Four of the eighteen eligible patients were not assessable for response due to removal from protocol treatment prior to adequate disease assessment. Specifically, three were removed for either grade 4 toxicity or progression of disease and one was removed per patient choice (due to reasons unrelated to treatment). Of the 18 patients who were assessed for toxicities, 5 (27.8%) received at least one fully dosed cycle, 2 (11.1%) of whom had all cycles fully dosed. No responses were observed on this study of the 14 patients who were assessable for response. All patients have discontinued protocol treatment as of August 2008. Overall survival at 12 months was 50% (95% CI 27–73%) and median progression‐free survival was 1.2 months (95% CI 1.0–5.4). The trial did not exhibit activity by the International Uniform Response Criteria for MM. Further research should focus on combination therapy of sorafenib with standard treatments in selected patients with RR MM.
Risk of squamous cell skin cancer after organ transplant associated with antibodies to cutaneous papillomaviruses, polyomaviruses, and TMC6/8 (EVER1/2) variants
Authors: Madeleine Margaret M. , Carter Joseph J. , Johnson Lisa G. , Wipf Gregory C. , Davis Connie , Berg Daniel , Nelson Karen , Daling Janet R. , Schwartz Stephen M. , Galloway Denise A. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractSquamous cell skin cancer (SCSC) disproportionately affects organ transplant recipients, and may be related to increased viral replication in the setting of immune suppression. We conducted a nested case–control study among transplant recipients to determine whether SCSC is associated with antibodies to cutaneous human papillomaviruses (HPV), to genes associated with a rare genetic susceptibility to HPV (TMC6/TMC8), or to human polyomaviruses (HPyV). Cases (n = 149) had histologically confirmed SCSC, and controls (n = 290) were individually matched to cases on time since transplant, type of transplant, gender, and race. All subjects had serum drawn immediately prior to transplant surgery. Antibodies to 25 cutaneous HPVs and six HPyVs were assayed by detection of binding to virus‐like particles, and 11 TMC6/8 variants were genotyped. After correction for multiple comparisons, only antibodies to HPV37 were associated with SCSC (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2–3.4). Common genetic variants of TMC6/8 were not associated with SCSC, but three variants in TMC8 (rs12452890, rs412611, and rs7208422) were associated with greater seropositivity for species 2 betapapillomaviruses among controls. This study suggests that some betaHPVs, but not polyomaviruses, may play a role in the excess risk of SCSC among transplant recipients.