bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the survival of exogenous plant microRNA in mice
Authors: Liang GaoFeng , Zhu YanLiang , Sun Bo , Shao YouHua , Jing AiHua , Wang JunHua , Xiao ZhongDang 
Published: May 2014

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small RNAs, are important molecules that influence several developmental processes and regulate RNA interference (RNAi), and are abundant in animals, plants, and plant tissues that are traditionally consumed in the diet. The survival of plant small RNAs from the diet in animals, however, remains unclear, and the persistence of miRNAs from dietary plants in the animal gastrointestinal (GI) tract is still under debate. In this study, ICR mice were fed plant total RNAs in quantities of 10–50 μg, extracted from Brassica oleracea. Serum, feces, and various tissues were collected from the mice after RNA consumption and analyzed for several miRNAs. Exogenous plant miRNAs were present in the sera, feces, and tissues of animals and these exogenous plant miRNAs were primarily acquired orally. MiR‐172, the most highly enriched exogenous plant miRNA in B. oleracea, was found in the stomach, intestine, serum, and feces of mice that were fed plant RNA extracts including miR‐172. The amount of miR‐172 that survived passage through the GI tract varied among individuals, with a maximum of 4.5% recovered at the stomach of one individual, and had a range of 0.05–4.5% in different organs. Furthermore, miR‐172 was detected in the blood, spleen, liver, and kidney of mice.
Biological protein‐resistance layer construction of recombinant hirudin on polymethyl methacrylate IOL surface
Authors: Zheng Zhiwen , Jiao Yan , Ren Li , Wang Yingjun 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIn this article, the surface of intraocular len material PMMA was first aminated for activation on which some polar groups generated such as CN, COO−, OH, NH3+, etc. Then the anticoagulant drugs recombinant hirudin (rH) was grafted with amido bonds to look forward to resist the adsorption of nonspecific protein or cells in tear, even the cataract. The detailed analysis and discussion about the grafting quantity, molography, wettability, electric charges, chemical structure, and the dynamic adsorption of protein Fn on the material surface were carried on by the technology of ultraviolet photometric, contact angle, solid Zeta potential, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and quartz crystal microbalance. The surface with a certain amount of rH modification existed more hydrophilic due to the amphiphilic structure than before, on which the protein adsorption was the most unstable. The results indicated that the rH modification improved the resistance of PMMA to nonspecific adsorption of protein Fn to achieve the expectative effect. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 878–886, 2015.
Plant virus incorporated hydrogels as scaffolds for tissue engineering possess low immunogenicity in vivo
Authors: Luckanagul Jittima Amie , Lee L. Andrew , You Shaojin , Yang Xiaoming , Wang Qian 
Published: May 2014

AbstractViruses are no longer recognized purely for being ubiquitous pathogens, but have served as building blocks for material chemistry and nanotechnology. Thousands of coat protein subunits of a viral particle can be modified chemically and/or genetically. We have previously shown that the three‐dimensional porous hydrogels can easily be functionalized by Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), a rod‐like plant virus, using its mutant, RGD‐TMV. RGD‐TMV hosted bioadhesive peptide (RGD) in the hydrogel, which was shown to enhance cell attachment and promote osteogenic differentiation of cultured stem cell. To translate this technology to potential clinical applications, we sought to study the biocompatibility of the hydrogel. In this paper, the hydrogels were implanted in vivo and assessed for their immunogenicity, toxicity, and biodegradability. Immune response for TMV substantially decreased when incorporated in the hydrogel implants. The implanted TMV hydrogels exhibited no apparent toxicity and were degradable in mice. The results highlighted the feasibility of using TMV incorporated hydrogels as scaffolding materials for regenerative medicine in terms of biocompatibility and biodegradability. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 887–895, 2015.
RGD‐peptide modified alginate by a chemoenzymatic strategy for tissue engineering applications
Authors: Sandvig Ioanna , Karstensen Kristin , Rokstad Anne Mari , Aachmann Finn Lillelund , Formo Kjetil , Sandvig Axel , Skjåk‐Bræk Gudmund , Strand Berit Løkensgard 
Published: May 2014

AbstractOne of the main challenges in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine is the ability to maintain optimal cell function and survival post‐transplantation. Biomaterials such as alginates are commonly used for immunoisolation, while they may also provide structural support to the cell transplants by mimicking the extracellular matrix. In this study, arginine‐glycine‐aspartate (RGD)‐peptide‐coupled alginates of tailored composition were produced by adopting a unique chemoenzymatic strategy for substituting the nongelling mannuronic acid on the alginate. Alginates with and without RGD were produced with high and low content of G. Using carbodiimide chemistry 0.1–0.2% of the sugar units were substituted by peptide. Furthermore, the characterization by 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) revealed by‐products from the coupling reaction that partly could be removed by coal filtration. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) and myoblasts were grown in two‐dimensional (2D) and 3D cultures of RGD‐peptide modified or unmodified alginates obtained by the chemoenzymatically strategy and compared to native alginate. Both OECs and myoblasts adhered to the RGD‐peptide modified alginates in 2D cultures, forming bipolar protrusions. OEC encapsulation resulted in cell survival for up to 9 days, thus demonstrating the potential for short‐term 3D culture. Myoblasts showed long‐term survival in 3D cultures, that is, up to 41 days post encapsulation. The RGD modifications did not result in marked changes in cell viability in 3D cultures. We demonstrate herein a unique technique for tailoring peptide substituted alginates with a precise and flexible composition, conserving the gel forming properties relevant for the use of alginate in tissue engineering. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 896–906, 2015.
Evaluating the Value of uPAR of Serum and Tissue on Patients With Cervical Cancer
Authors: Jing Jiexian , Zheng Shumin , Han Cunzhi , Du Lili , Guo Yongfeng , Wang Pei 
Published: May 2014

We investigated the relationship between the urokinase type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) in sera and tissues of patients with cervical cancer and the clinical and pathological features of the cancer. Immunohistochemistry (SABC method) was used to detect uPAR expression in cervical cancer and normal tissues; ELISA was employed to assay the uPAR levels in cervical cancer and normal tissues and the corresponding sera. The immunohistochemistry results showed that there were 37 cases of uPAR expression in 56 patients of cervical cancer with a positive expression rate of 66%, whereas there was no uPAR expression in normal cervical tissues. The uPAR levels in cancer tissue from patients with cervical cancer (70.92 ± 28.55 ng/100 mg protein) were significantly higher than those of adjacent tissues obtained from the cancer patients (11.01 ± 5.40 ng/100 mg protein) (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the tissue uPAR levels are correlated with the TNM stages, lymph node metastasis, and the degree of differentiation instead of tumor‐infiltrating and vessel thrombosis. Serum uPAR levels of patients (2.38 ± 0.29 ng/ml) were significantly increased compared with health control group (0.50 ± 0.16 ng/ml) (P < 0.001). Single‐factor analysis shows that the serum uPAR levels of preoperative patients are related with clinical grade, lymph node metastasis, vein embolism, and the depth of infiltration instead of tumor differentiation. We conducted multiple regression analysis and found that the factors affecting preoperative serum suPAR include clinical stage (P = 0.000), pelvic lymph node metastasis (P = 0.000), and depth of myometrial invasion (P = 0.001). The serum suPAR levels of patients with cervical cancer after surgery are significantly decreased compared with preoperation (P < 0.001). The uPAR levels of serum and tissue present a positive correlation (r = 0.705, P < 0.001). The soluble uPAR in serum (suPAR) may be a more convenient indicator to reflect the uPAR system activity in vivo. It could be a tumor marker for clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis monitor of cervical cancer.
Tracking managerial conflict adaptivity: Introducing a dynamic measure of adaptive conflict management in organizations
Authors: Coleman Peter T. , Kugler Katharina G. 
Published: May 2014

SummarySince Darwin, adaptation to change has been associated with survival and fit. Yet, despite this, leaders and managers often get stuck in dominating approaches to conflict, and few scholars have examined the role of adaptation in managing conflicts effectively over time and across changing situations. The goal of this paper is threefold. First, we develop a new measure for assessing conflict adaptivity of managers [the Managerial Conflict Adaptivity Assessment (MCAA)], based on a situated model of conflict in social relations. We define conflict adaptivity as the capacity to respond to different conflict situations in accordance with the demands specified by the situation. The measure consists of 15 distinct work‐conflict scenarios and provides five behavioral response options, which represent five primary strategies employed in conflict. Individuals who tend to respond to the conflicts in a manner consistent with the situations provided are considered to be more adaptive. Second, we test and find that managerial conflict adaptivity is related to higher levels of satisfaction with conflict processes at work as well as higher levels of well‐being at work. Third, we test the MCAA's construct validity and provide evidence that the MCAA is positively related to behavioral flexibility and self‐efficacy. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of extreme climate events using a regional climate model for China
Authors: Ji Zhenming , Kang Shichang 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTExtreme climate events over China at the end of the 21st century (2080–2099) are investigated using the regional climate model RegCM4. Model performance is validated through comparison between observations and simulations over the period 1985–2005. The results show that RegCM4 can satisfactorily reproduce the spatial distribution of extreme climate events over China. The model simulates temperature extremes more accurately than precipitation. Under the RCP8.5 (high emission) scenario, the number of frost days decreases, and both the heat wave duration index and the growing season length increase dramatically towards the end of the 21st century. Changes in extreme temperature become increasingly pronounced from South to North China, with the most significant changes occurring on the Tibetan Plateau (TP). The proportion of heavy precipitation generally increases, except on the southern TP. The number of very heavy precipitation days increases by 25–50% in Northwest and East China. In winter, the number of consecutive dry days (CDD) decreases in North China and increases in South China. The greatest increases in CDD are found in June, July and August (JJA) in Southwest China. In a future that follows this scenario, drought events may be aggravated in Southwest China, and decrease in North China. In contrast, when repeating these projections under the assumption of the RCP4.5 scenario for emissions, the frequency of extreme climate events is reduced. These results suggest that reductions in greenhouse gas emissions may mitigate the effects of climate change over the coming decades.
The Eyes Have It: How a Car's Face Influences Consumer Categorization and Evaluation of Product Line Extensions
Authors: Keaveney Susan M. , Herrmann Andreas , Befurt Rene , Landwehr Jan R. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTThis research focuses on a previously unexamined risk associated with the widely used new product development strategy of line extensions. Specifically, it explores consumer reactions when line extensions become too visually similar and examines both short‐term and longer term strategies for solving the problem. Examined in the context of consumer durables, specifically, automobiles, the results show that consumers who make categorization mistakes when trying to distinguish between two visually similar product lines have more negative attitudes not only toward the product but also toward the parent brand. The results of Study 1 confirm that providing a design vocabulary that articulates the car's design features is effective in reducing consumer's categorization mistakes. In addition, results of Study 2 indicate that changes to the car's “eyes” (headlights) are more effective than changes to the car's “mouth” (grille) in helping consumers to differentiate among cars in the line.
The Intra‐ and Inter‐Personal Dynamics Associated with Consuming Sensitive Products: Understanding the Consumption of Erectile Function Aids Using Dimensional Qualitative Research
Authors: Newton Fiona J. , Ewing Michael T. , Pitt Leyland F. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTIt is estimated that well over 300 million men will be diagnosed with erectile dysfunction by 2025. Men seeking treatment face a burgeoning array of options, some quite invasive. This study utilizes a dimensional qualitative research (DQR) approach to examine what men think, feel, and experience as they consider integrating erectile function (EF) aids into their sexual relationships. The findings suggest that the process of accepting changes in sexual functioning and consuming EF aids frequently moves beyond intrapersonal issues to encompass spouse/partner relationships. The insights gleaned from this study have implications not only for the marketing of EF aids but also for healthcare professionals assisting men in the treatment of their symptoms. Finally, the study findings expand current marketing applications of the DQR framework by demonstrating the value of second‐order modality analysis.
IPMDS‐Sponsored Scale Translation Program: Process, Format, and Clinimetric Testing Plan for the MDS‐UPDRS and UDysRS
Authors: Goetz Christopher G. , Stebbins Glenn T. , Wang Lu , LaPelle Nancy R. , Luo Sheng , Tilley Barbara C. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractWe present the methodology and results of the clinimetric testing program for non‐English translations of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS)–sponsored scales. The programs focus on the MDS revision of the UPDRS (MDS‐UPDRS) and the Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale (UDysRS). The original development teams of both the MDS‐UPDRS and UDysRS envisioned official non‐English translations and instituted a rigorous translation methodology. The formal process includes five core steps: (1) registration and start‐up; (2) translation and independent back‐translation; (3) cognitive pretesting to establish that the translation is clear and that it is comfortably administered to and completed by native‐speaker raters and patients; (4) field testing in the native language using a large sample of Parkinson's disease patients; and (5) full clinimetric testing. To date, the MDS‐UPDRS has 21 active language programs. Nine official translations are available, having completed all phases successfully, and the others are in different stages of development. For the UDysRS, 19 programs are active, with three official translations now available and the rest in development at different stages. Very few scales in neurology and none in movement disorders have fully validated translations, and this model may be adopted or modified by other scale programs to allow careful validation of translations. Having validated translations allows for maximal homogeneity of tools utilized in multicenter research or clinical trial programs.
Reachable workspace in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) by kinect
Authors: Han Jay J. , Kurillo Gregorij , Abresch Richard T. , de Bie Evan , Nicorici Alina , Bajcsy Ruzena 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTIntroduction: A depth‐ranging sensor (Kinect) based upper extremity motion analysis system was applied to determine the spectrum of reachable workspace encountered in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Methods: Reachable workspaces were obtained from 22 individuals with FSHD and 24 age‐ and height‐matched healthy controls. To allow comparison, total and quadrant reachable workspace relative surface areas (RSAs) were obtained by normalizing the acquired reachable workspace by each individual's arm length. Results: Significantly contracted reachable workspace and reduced RSAs were noted for the FSHD cohort compared with controls (0.473 ± 0.188 vs. 0.747 ± 0.082; P < 0.0001). With worsening upper extremity function as categorized by the FSHD evaluation subscale II + III, the upper quadrant RSAs decreased progressively, while the lower quadrant RSAs were relatively preserved. There were no side‐to‐side differences in reachable workspace based on hand‐dominance. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the feasibility and potential of using an innovative Kinect‐based reachable workspace outcome measure in FSHD. Muscle Nerve 51: 168–175, 2015
Multiple response surfaces for slope reliability analysis
Authors: Li Liang , Chu Xuesong 
Published: May 2014

SummaryThis paper develops a multiple response surfaces approach to approximate the limit state function for slope failure by second‐order polynomial functions, to incorporate the variation of the most probable slip surfaces, and to evaluate the slope failure probability pf. The proposed methodology was illustrated through a cohesive soil slope example. It is shown that the pf values estimated from multiple response surfaces agree well with those pf values that have been obtained by searching a large number of potential slip surfaces in each Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) sample.The variation of number of the most probable slip surfaces is studied at different scale of fluctuation (λ) values. It is found that when full correlation assumed for each of random fields (i.e., spatial variability is ignored), the number of the most probable slip surfaces is equal to the number of random fields (in this study, it is 3). When the spatial variability grows significantly, the number of the most probable slip surfaces or number of multiple response surfaces firstly increases evidently to a higher value and then varies slightly. In addition, the contribution of a specific most probable slip surface varies dramatically at different spatial variability level, and therefore, the variation of the most probable slip surfaces should be accounted for in the reliability analysis. The multiple response surfaces approach developed in this paper provides a limit equilibrium method and MCS‐based means to incorporate such a variation of the most probable slip surfaces in slope reliability analysis. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Flexible triboelectric generator and pressure sensor based on poly[(R)‐3‐hydroxybutyric acid] biopolymer
Authors: Valentini Luca , Cardinali Marta , Kenny Josè 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTThe utilization of poly[(R)‐3‐hydroxybutyric acid] (PHB) biopolymer for a device that uses charging process in friction to convert mechanical energy into electric power is reported. The triboelectric generator (TEG) is fabricated by stacking a drop cast PHB film between indium tin oxide coated poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and PET sheet. The charge transfer takes place through an established general rule according to which the material with higher dielectric constant becomes positively charged. Furthermore, the utilization of such TEG as pressure sensor is illustrated. TEGs have the potential of harvesting energy from touch screen, mechanical vibration, and more, with great applications in self‐powered sensors for heat and environmental monitoring and even large‐scale applications. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014, 52, 859–863
Evaluation of the photocatalytic (visible‐light) activity of cold gas sprayed TiO2 layers on metal sheets
Authors: Freitag Janna , Bahnemann Detlef W. 
Published: May 2014

Abstractmagnified imageThe photocatalytic properties of titanium dioxide layers on metal sheets prepared via cold gas spraying have been investigated employing the ISO 22197‐2 standard test for acetaldehyde degradation in the gas phase. The contact between the TiO2 and the metal substrate can be described as a Schottky contact. A depletion region is formed at the semiconductor–metal interface leading to an enhanced separation of the photoinduced charge carriers. Thus, the lifetime of the e–/h+ pair is prolonged. The variation of process parameters, such as temperature and pressure, during the CGS preparation leads to different photocatalytic properties of the obtained TiO2 layers. Under high pressure and temperature even visible light active TiO2 coatings are prepared. The CGS technique allows the formation of thin TiO2 films without any binders exhibiting high photocatalytic activities in the same range as the pure powders employed for their preparation.magnified imageSchematic diagram presenting the Schottky contact of an n‐type semiconductor and met al. Ef is the Fermi level, VB and CB are the valence and conduction band of the semiconductor, respectively. A proposed degradation pathway of acet‐aldehyde at the solid/gas interface is depicted.(© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Systematic calculations of On (n = 1 to 6) polytypes of LiCoO2
Authors: Fisher Craig A. J. , Kuwabara Akihide , Moriwake Hiroki , Oki Hideki , Kohama Keiichi , Ikuhara Yuichi 
Published: May 2014

Abstractmagnified imageSix different polytypes On (n = 1 to 6) of the conventional lithium‐ion battery cathode material LiCoO2 are examined systematically using first‐principles calculations within the framework of density functional theory. The calculations correctly predict the most stable form to be O3‐LiCoO2, and indicate that the recently synthesized O4 polytype is slightly more stable than O2‐LiCoO2, with a lattice energy per formula unit intermediate between O2‐ and O3‐LiCoO2. Extending the calculations to the as‐yet unobserved O5 polytype suggests that this is also slightly more stable than the O2 form. The potential differences of each polytype relative to lithium metal are found to decrease as the concentration of stacking faults (and volumetric mass density) increases, with a maximum of 3.89 eV for the polytype with optimum crystal packing (cubic‐close‐packing, ccp), namely O3‐ABCABC, and a minimum for the highest concentration of stacking faults, corresponding to a hexagonal close‐packed structure, i.e., O1. Other polytypes can be considered as intergrowths of these two configurations, so that for n beyond 6 the most stable form of each polytype is expected to display properties increasingly similar to those of O3 as the proportion of ccp sequences will increase. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)