bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CO2 enrichment from flue gas for the cultivation of algae – a field test
Authors: Wolff Thorsten , Brinkmann Torsten , Kerner Martin , Hindersin Stefan 
Published: May 2015

AbstractA membrane unit in pilot scale is operated to provide a CO2‐enriched product stream from flue gas of a natural‐gas‐fuelled heating system. The CO2 stream is fed to a cultivation medium of photobioreactors that are integrated in the façade of the building project ‘BIQ – The Algae House’ (International Building Exhibition 2013/Hamburg), where CO2 is required as the carbon source for the growth of algae, which are cultivated in the bioreactors. This work presents a long‐term field test. Furthermore, a possibility for the usage of CO2 separated de‐centrally is given. The operational conditions for the membrane module cause additional mechanical stress on the membrane material since the pilot plant is operated with periodic start‐ups and shut‐downs. The occurrence of acidic water on the membrane generates additional potential damage of the material. The field test is planned to be carried out for several years to prove the reliability of this membrane technology in flue gas treatment. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
A New Dimeric Secoiridoid Glycoside from the Leaves of Olea ferrugineaRoyle
Authors: Hashmi Muhammad A. , Hameed Rabia , Khan Afsar , Farooq Umar , Ahmad Viqar U. , Perveen Shagufta 
Published: May 2015

AbstractA new dimeric secoiridoid glycoside, trivially named oleferrugine B (1), has been isolated from the AcOEt‐soluble part of the MeOH extract of leaves of Olea ferruginea Royle. The structure of the isolated compound was established on the basis of ESI‐MS fragmentation patterns, and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques, including 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR, HSQC, 1H,1H‐COSY, HMBC, and NOESY experiments, and by comparison with literature data.
The expression of RUNDC3B is associated with promoter methylation in lymphoid malignancies
Authors: Burmeister Dane W. , Smith Emily H. , Cristel Robert T. , McKay Stephanie D. , Shi Huidong , Arthur Gerald L. , Davis Justin Wade , Taylor Kristen H. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractDNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that plays an important role in the regulation of gene expression. The function of RUNDC3B has yet to be determined, although its dysregulated expression has been associated with malignant potential of both breast and lung carcinoma. To elucidate the potential of using DNA methylation in RUNDC3B as a biomarker in lymphoid malignancies, the methylation status of six regions spanning the CpG island in the promoter region of RUNDC3B was determined in cancer cell lines. Lymphoid malignancies were found to have more prominent methylation and did not express RUNDC3B compared with myeloid malignancies and solid tumours, supporting the potential use of DNA methylation in this region as a biomarker for lymphoid malignancies. RUNDC3B contains a RUN domain in its N‐terminal region that mediates interaction with Rap2, an important component of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, which regulates cellular proliferation and differentiation. The protein sequence of RUNDC3B also contains characteristic binding sites for MAPK intermediates. Therefore, it is possible that RUNDC3B serves as a mediator between Rap2 and the MAPK signalling cascade. Three genes with MAPK‐inducible expression were downregulated in a methylated leukaemia cell line (HSPA5, Jun and Fos). Jun and Fos combine to form the activating protein 1 transcription factor, and loss of this factor is associated with the dysregulation of genes involved in differentiation and proliferation. We hypothesize that the loss of RUNDC3B secondary to aberrant hypermethylation of the early growth response 3 transcription factor binding site results in dysregulated MAPK signalling and carcinogenesis in lymphoid malignancies. © 2015 The Authors. Hematological Oncology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
No association between the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and the long‐term clinical response in obsessive–compulsive disorder in the Japanese population
Authors: Umehara Hidehiro , Numata Shusuke , Tajima Atsushi , Kinoshita Makoto , Nakaaki Shutaro , Imoto Issei , Sumitani Satsuki , Ohmori Tetsuro 
Published: May 2015

ObjectiveCatechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) is an enzyme that participates in the metabolic inactivation of dopamine and norepinephrine, and the Met allele of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism is associated with lower enzymatic activity. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether this functional variant is associated with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and the clinical responses in OCD.MethodsWe first performed a case‐control association study between the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and OCD (171 cases and 944 controls). Then, we examined the association between this polymorphism and the clinical responses in 91 of the OCD patients.ResultsOur study did not find a significant association between the Met allele and OCD risk or between the Met allele and clinical responses (p > 0.05).ConclusionThe present case‐control/pharmacogenetic study did not provide clear evidence that the COMT Val158Met polymorphism is a predictor of OCD or of OCD patients' clinical responses. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oxygen plasma surface modification augments poly(L‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) cytocompatibility toward osteoblasts and minimizes immune activation of macrophages
Authors: Scislowska‐Czarnecka Anna , Szmigiel Dariusz , Genet Michel , Dupont‐Gillain Christine , Pamula Elzbieta , Kolaczkowska Elzbieta 
Published: May 2015

AbstractHere, we report on modification of one of the model biomedical polymers, poly l‐lactide‐co‐glycolide (PLGA; 85:15), by reactive ion etching (RIE) oxygen plasma treatment. PLGA's major disadvantage is high hydrophobicity which restrains binding of cell‐adhesive proteins and host cells. In the current approach, we aimed to answer two questions: (1) will only short (10 s) and moderate (20–200 mTorr, 45–90 W) RIE oxygen plasma treatment, leading to decrease of water contact angle by only up to 10°, sufficiently improve PLGA adherence to cells, and (2) how will this affect osteoblasts and activation of the immune system? All obtained modified PLGAs had improved hydrophilicity but unaltered roughness (as revealed by water contact angle measurements, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy) resulting in significantly improved adhesion of osteoblasts (MG‐63) and their low activation. Importantly, macrophages (RAW 264.7), one of the key cells initiating inflammation and bone resorption, responded significantly less vigorously to the modified polymers, expressing/releasing lower amounts of nitric oxide, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP‐9), and pro‐inflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐12p70, IFN‐γ, IL‐10). We conclude that already slight RIE oxygen plasma modification of PLGA is sufficient to improve its surface properties, and enhance cytocompatibility. Most importantly, this type of modification prevents excessive immune response. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3965–3977, 2015.
Bioactivity of permselective PVA hydrogels with mixed ECM analogues
Authors: Nafea Eman H. , Poole‐Warren Laura A. , Martens Penny J. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe presentation of multiple biological cues, which simulate the natural in vivo cell environment within artificial implants, has recently been identified as crucial for achieving complex cellular functions. The incorporation of two or more biological cues within a largely synthetic network can provide a simplified model of multifunctional ECM presentation to encapsulated cells. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of simultaneously and covalently incorporating two dissimilar biological molecules, heparin and gelatin, within a PVA hydrogel. PVA was functionalized with 7 and 20 methacrylate functional groups per chain (FG/c) to tailor the permselectivity of UV photopolymerized hydrogels. Both heparin and gelatin were covalently incorporated into PVA at an equal ratio resulting in a final PVA:heparin:gelatin composition of 19:0.5:0.5. The combination of both heparin and gelatin within a PVA network has proven to be stable over time without compromising the PVA base characteristics including its permselectivity to different proteins. Most importantly, this combination of ECM analogues supplemented PVA with the dual functionalities of promoting cellular adhesion and sequestering growth factors essential for cellular proliferation. Multi‐functional PVA hydrogels with synthetically controlled network characteristics and permselectivity show potential in various biomedical applications including artificial cell implants. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3727–3735, 2015.
Mesenchymal stem cell response to topographically modified CoCrMo
Authors: Logan Niall , Bozec Laurent , Traynor Alison , Brett Peter 
Published: May 2015

AbstractSurface roughness on implant materials has been shown to be highly influential on the behavior of osteogenic cells. Four surface topographies were engineered on cobalt chromium molybdenum (CoCrMo) in order to examine this influence on human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). These treatments were smooth polished (SMO), acid etched (AE) using HCl 7.4% and H2SO4 76% followed by HNO3 30%, sand blasted, and acid etched using either 50 μm Al2O3 (SLA50) or 250 μm Al2O3 grit (SLA250). Characterization of the surfaces included energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX), contact angle, and surface roughness analysis. Human MSCs were cultured onto the four CoCrMo substrates and markers of cell attachment, retention, proliferation, cytotoxicity, and osteogenic differentiation were studied. Residual aluminum was observed on both SLA surfaces although this appeared to be more widely spread on SLA50, whilst SLA250 was shown to have the roughest topography with an Ra value greater than 1 μm. All substrates were shown to be largely non‐cytotoxic although both SLA surfaces were shown to reduce cell attachment, whilst SLA50 also delayed cell proliferation. In contrast, SLA250 stimulated a good rate of proliferation resulting in the largest cell population by day 21. In addition, SLA250 stimulated enhanced cell retention, calcium deposition, and hydroxyapatite formation compared to SMO (p < 0.05). The enhanced response stimulated by SLA250 surface modification may prove advantageous for increasing the bioactivity of implants formed of CoCrMo. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3747–3756, 2015.
Inhibitory effect of direct electric field and HA‐ZnO composites on S. aureus biofilm formation
Authors: Boda Sunil Kumar , Bajpai Indu , Basu Bikramjit 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIn addressing the issue of prosthetic infection, we demonstrate herein how direct electric field (DC EF) stimulation can effectively inhibit biofilm formation, when pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, USA 300) are grown on HA‐xZnO (x = 0, 5, 7.5, and 10 wt %) biocomposites in vitro. After bacterial preincubation for 4 h, a low intensity DC EF (1V/cm) was applied for different time periods (t = 6, 12, 18, and 24 h). The bacterial viability and biofilm maturation were evaluated by a combination of biochemical assays, fluorescence/confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry. The results confirm a time‐dependent and composition‐independent decrease in bacterial viability and biofilm formation on HA‐xZnO composites w.r.t EF‐treated HA. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that 12 h EF application resulted in membrane depolarization of ∼35% of S. aureus populations on HA‐xZnO composites. The live/dead assay results revealed ∼60% decline in viable bacterial numbers with a concomitant 3.5‐fold increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) after 18 h of EF. The loss in bacterial viability and biofilm instability is due to the synergistic bactericidal action of ZnO and EF. Taken together, the use of engineered biomaterial substrate with antimicrobial reinforcement coupled with continuous low intensity EF application can be adopted to treat prosthetic implant associated infection. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 1064–1075, 2016.
The mechanism of hypolimnion warming induced by internal waves
Authors: Nishri Aminadav , Rimmer Alon , Lechinsky Yury 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe measured temperature of the hypolimnion of Lake Kinneret, Israel, reveals an average rise of ∼0.6 ± 0.3°C between April and December. Three mechanisms are suggested as the cause of this rise: (i) direct radiation; (ii) an entire‐lake vertical diffused heat transfer; and (iii) a mechanism of “indirect warming,” which is investigated here for the first time. The indirect warming mechanism prevails in the sublittoral zones, which are affected by internal seiche activity, including Poincare and Kelvin waves with cycle periods of ∼12 h and ∼24 h, respectively. During part of the seiche's time span, the warm epilimnetic water comes into contact with the underlying bottom sediments and heats them. During the rest of the seich's cycle, part of the sublittoral bed sediments become overlain by cold hypolimnetic water and cause the previously heated sediments to emit most of their heat, slightly warming the hypolimnion. The daily cycle of this indirect warming mechanism is superimposed on the seasonal cycle of the sublittoral bed sediments, which are cold in the winter and warm in the summer, in accordance with the seasonal pattern of the epilimnion's temperature. Empirical evidence that suggests that indirect warming actually takes place in response to well‐documented seiche water motions is presented in this article. For example, according to the proposed analysis of sediment temperature changes, in the month of June a daily heat flux of 7.88 W m−2 (0.68 MJ m−2 d−1) was estimated. It was found that during the first 5 months of stratification this mechanism contributes ∼41% of the thermal energy needed for the 0.6°C temperature increase. This mechanism is expected to occur at any thermally stratified lake that is significantly affected by internal seiche activity.
Skeletal muscle myotubes in severe obesity exhibit altered ubiquitin‐proteasome and autophagic/lysosomal proteolytic flux
Authors: Bollinger Lance M. , Powell Jonathan J. S. , Houmard Joseph A. , Witczak Carol A. , Brault Jeffrey J. 
Published: May 2015

ObjectiveWhole‐body protein metabolism is dysregulated with obesity. The goal of the study was to determine whether activity and expression of major protein degradation pathways are compromised specifically in human skeletal muscle with obesity.MethodsPrimary human skeletal muscle (HSkM) cell cultures were utilized since cellular mechanisms can be studied absent of hormones and contractile activity that could independently influence metabolism. HSkM from 10 lean women (BMI ≤ 26.0 kg/m2) and 8 women with severe obesity (BMI ≥ 39.0) were examined basally and when stimulated to atrophy (serum and amino acid starvation).ResultsHSkM from obese donors had a lower proportion of type I myosin heavy chain and slower flux through the autophagic/lysosomal pathway. During starvation, flux through the ubiquitin‐proteasome system diverged according to obesity status, with a decrease in lean subjects and an increase in HSkM from subjects with obesity. HSkM in obesity also displayed elevated proteasome activity despite no difference in proteasome content. Atrophy‐related gene expression and myotube area were similar in myotubes derived from individuals with and without obesity under basal and starved conditions.ConclusionsOur data indicate that muscle cells in lean individuals and in those with severe obesity have innate differences in management of protein degradation, which may explain their metabolic differences.
Anticipatory and reactive responses to chocolate restriction in frequent chocolate consumers
Authors: Keeler Chelsey L. , Mattes Richard D. , Tan Sze‐Yen 
Published: May 2015

ObjectiveMany individuals have difficulty adhering to a weight loss diet. One possible explanation could be that dietary restriction paradoxically contributes to overconsumption. The objective of this study was to examine ingestive behavior under a forced chocolate restriction with a focus on the anticipatory restriction period and the post‐restriction period in frequent chocolate consumers.MethodsFifty‐six male (N = 18) and female (N = 38) high chocolate consumers with high (N = 25) or low (N = 31) cognitive disinhibition participated. Chocolate snacks were provided for a week each to establish baseline, pre‐restriction, and post‐restriction consumption, Chocolate snacks were replaced with nonchocolate snacks during a 3‐week chocolate restriction period.ResultsHighly disinhibited participants felt more guilty and consumed significantly more energy than low disinhibited participants across snack conditions. Low disinhibited participants consumed significantly less in the post‐restriction period compared to baseline and the pre‐restriction period, while high disinhibited participants consumed the same amount across all conditions. Aggregating the data, high and low disinhibited chocolate consumers ate snacks more frequently in the pre‐ and post‐restriction periods compared to the baseline period.ConclusionsThis study suggests that for some individuals, restriction of a preferred food like chocolate may be contraindicated for energy restriction and weight management.
High‐precision Optical Position Measurement in Indoor Environments
Authors: Vandenhouten Ralf , Wendlandt Ole 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIndoor localization is still a challenge today. Conventional methods based on satellite navigation, like GPS, can only be used outdoors. On the other hand, radio signal architectures, like WiFi or NFC, require high cost infrastructure to be installed inside the building. In collaboration with Ixellence GmbH, the research group for telematics of the University of Applied Science Wildau is developing a new inexpensive solution based on the camera of a mobile device. This approach only requires the availability of multiple identifiable landmarks that can be installed cost‐efficiently in an indoor environment. Our investigations show that this method is very accurate and can produce repeatable, robust results.
Reactivity ratios and copolymer properties of 2‐(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate with methyl methacrylate and styrene
Authors: Faraguna Fabio , Vidović Elvira , Jukić Ante 
Published: May 2015

AbstractFree radical copolymerization kinetics of 2‐(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DPA) with styrene (ST) or methyl methacrylate (MMA) was investigated and the corresponding copolymers obtained were characterized. Polymerization was performed using tert‐butylperoxy‐2‐ethylhexanoate (0.01 mol dm−3) as initiator, isothermally (70 °C) to low conversions (<10 wt%) in a wide range of copolymer compositions (10 mol% steps). The reactivity ratios of the monomers were calculated using linear Kelen–Tüdős (KT) and nonlinear Tidwell–Mortimer (TM) methods. The reactivity ratios for MMA/DPA were found to be r1 = 0.99 and r2 = 1.00 (KT), r1 = 0.99 and r2 = 1.03 (TM); for the ST/DPA system r1 = 2.74, r2 = 0.54 (KT) and r1 = 2.48, r2 = 0.49 (TM). It can be concluded that copolymerization of MMA with DPA is ideal while copolymerization of ST with DPA has a small but noticeable tendency for block copolymer building. The probabilities for formations of dyad and triad monomer sequences dependent on monomer compositions were calculated from the obtained reactivity ratios. The molar mass distribution, thermal stability and glass transition temperatures of synthesized copolymers were determined. Hydrophobicity of copolymers depending on the composition was determined using contact angle measurements, decreasing from hydrophobic polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate) to hydrophilic DPA. Copolymerization reactivity ratios are crucial for the control of copolymer structural properties and conversion heterogeneity that greatly influence the applications of copolymers as rheology modifiers of lubricating oils or in drug delivery systems. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Targeted control of the saddle gall midge, Haplodiplosis marginata (von Roser) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), and the benefits of good control of this pest to winter wheat yield
Authors: Censier Florence , Chavalle Sandrine , San Martin y Gomez Gilles , De Proft Michel , Bodson Bernard 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDSince 2010 there has been a resurgence of the saddle gall midge, Haplodiplosis marginata (von Roser), in Belgium and several other European countries, with this pest sometimes causing severe damage in cereals. In 2012 and 2013, field trials were conducted in heavily infested fields to assess its impact on winter wheat crops and to determine efficient ways of dealing with severe infestations.RESULTSCrop exposure to H. marginata varied with the different protection methods tried. These methods included 1–4 successive applications of lambda‐cyhalothrin. Yield losses were significant, reaching 6% in 2012 and as high as 15% in 2013, and these losses were linearly related to the number of galls on stems.CONCLUSIONThe trials showed that insecticide applications needed to be synchronised with H. marginata flight peaks and to target the egg hatching period. They also revealed that insecticides applied to coincide with the first flight could, in humid conditions, also reach the larvae close to the soil surface, prior to their pupation. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Si‐co‐doped CuAlS2:Mn conductive phosphor thin films prepared by electron beam evaporation using phosphor powder pellets
Authors: Kawaguchi Hideki , Ishigaki Tadashi , Adachi Takayoshi , Oshima Yuki , Ohmi Koutoku 
Published: May 2015

AbstractSi‐codoped CuAlS2:Mn thin films have been prepared by EB evaporation using the phosphor powder as evaporation source pellets. The selective substitution of Mn centers for both Cu and Al has been first achieved for thin film samples. A currently obtained maximum quantum efficiency is about 9% for an orange emission due to Mn centers substituted for Cu, and 3% for a red emission due to Mn centers substituted for Al. It has been found that the conductivity predominantly depends on the Al/Cu compositional ratio of the thin films. The origin of carriers is considered to be the Cu‐Al mutual substitution. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
An adaptable and scalable membership management for the iTrust information search and retrieval system
Authors: Chuang Yung‐Ting 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe iTrust search and retrieval network is designed to impede attempts to censor or filter information accessed over the Internet, providing trustworthy access to information on the Web. In iTrust, a fully distributed membership algorithm and a detection/defensive adaptation algorithm act in concert to protect against malicious nodes in membership. By applying statistical inference for both detection and defensive algorithms, I was able to measure information that cannot be observed directly, such as the current size of the membership and the current proportion of malicious nodes in the network. Experimentation demonstrates that both algorithms are able to estimate these metrics quickly and accurately, to the point that the nodes can use them to manage the iTrust system, despite a high rate of membership churn, a large number of malicious nodes, and a mere partial view of network membership. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.