bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immobilization of a thermostable, fungal recombinant chitinase on biocompatible chitosan beads and the properties of the immobilized enzyme
Authors: Prasad Muthu , Palanivelu Peramachi 
Published: September 2014

AbstractA recombinant, thermostable fungal chitinase from the thermophilic fungus, Thermomyces lanuginosus, was immobilized on glutaraldehyde cross‐linked chitosan beads, and the properties of the immobilized chitinase were studied. The enzyme was found to be almost completely immobilized in 6 H under shaking condition at 30 °C. The immobilized enzyme exhibited much wider pH optimum and was more stable at alkaline pH values as compared with the soluble enzyme. Both the forms of the enzyme were optimally active at 60 °C and stable at 50 °C for 3 H, and after 3 H, the activity of the soluble enzyme declined sharply, whereas the immobilized chitinase was stable up to 6 H without any significant loss in the activity. KM and Vmax values of the immobilized enzyme were 1.18 mM and 445.7 μmol/Min/mg of protein, respectively. The immobilized enzyme was stable at least for 1 month at 4 °C without any significant loss in the activity.
Comprehensive analysis of PEGylated liposome‐associated proteins relating to the accelerated blood clearance phenomenon by combination with shotgun analysis and conventional methods
Authors: Kawanishi Munehira , Hashimoto Yosuke , Shimizu Taro , Sagawa Ikuko , Ishida Tatsuhiro , Kiwada Hiroshi 
Published: September 2014

AbstractPEGylated liposome, sterically stabilized by polyethylene glycol (PEG), results in reduced recognition of the liposome by the mononuclear phagocyte system. Recently, we reported regarding the accelerated blood clearance (ABC) phenomenon that PEGylated liposome is cleared very rapidly from blood circulation upon repeated injection. Anti‐PEG IgM production and subsequent complement activation were crucial in causing the ABC phenomenon. However, there still remains the possibility that unknown plasma factors might affect the fate of PEGylated liposome that is subjected to the ABC phenomenon. A label‐free approach to shotgun analysis is a great tool for characterizing proteins in a biological system. In this study, therefore, a shotgun analysis was employed to identify plasma protein bound on PEGylated liposome after the ABC phenomenon was induced in the mouse model. The analysis revealed that immunoglobulin and complement components (C1 and C3) are the major proteins. Subsequent analysis with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting showed that the immunoglobulin was IgM and that the complement system was mainly activated via an anti‐PEG IgM‐mediated classical pathway. These results support our earlier assumptions—anti‐PEG IgM and complement activation were the major causes of the ABC phenomenon. Our proposed analytical strategy would be expected to provide useful information for the development and design of the nanocarrier drug delivery system.
The spiritual benefits of travel for senior tourists
Authors: Moal–Ulvoas Gaëlle , Taylor Valerie A. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACTThis research explores the spiritual benefits of travel for older adults and illustrates how travel meets seniors' self‐actualization and spiritual growth needs. The theoretical point of departure for this research is seniors' quest for meaning and self‐actualization, which act as push factors inducing older adults to travel. Semistructured depth interviews were conducted with 16 retired senior informants who had extensive travel experience. Using an interpretive method, this research reveals four key themes that illustrate the spiritual benefits of travel, thereby extending the growing literature on the motivations of senior travelers. These themes are described as “traveling generates meaning for older adults,” “traveling reveals the self to older adults,” “traveling encourages older adults to better understand others,” and “traveling enables older adults to better understand their relationship to nature”. In sum, the themes describe how older adults may meet their unique spiritual needs through travel and thereby enhance their spiritual development. This research represents one of a few studies examining senior tourism to employ an interpretive method and provides rich insights as a result. This research also extends the emerging research on spirituality in marketing by illustrating how the tourism industry may benefit from a perspective that considers the spiritual benefits of consumption. The research findings suggest that the intangible spiritual benefits of travel, in addition to the tangible benefits, should be highlighted in travel offers and tourism communications targeted to older adults. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterisation of gamma delta (γδ) T cell populations in patients with sepsis
Authors: Galley Helen F. , Lowes Damon A. , Thompson Keith , Wilson Naomi D. , Wallace Carol A. , Webster Nigel R. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractGamma delta (γδ) T cells contribute to both innate and acquired immune responses during infection. In this pilot study, we measured the in vitro responses of γδT cell populations from patients with sepsis compared to cells from healthy subjects. We also measured production of interferon (IFN)γ. Mononuclear cells were isolated from 10 healthy control subjects and 20 patients with sepsis. Cells were cultured for 7 days with interleukin (IL)‐2 plus the bisphosphonate zoledronic acid which results in indirect cell activation. Flow cytometry was used to characterise the γδT cells and enzyme immunoassay was used to measure IFNγ production. The median [range] proportion of γδT cells in healthy controls after activation was 19.2% [2.0–55.9%], compared to only 0.61% [0.1–3.6%] (P < 0.0001) in patients with sepsis. However, IFNγ levels in culture supernatants were similar in both the patients and healthy subjects. We therefore characterised the cells further by CD27 and CD45RA expression in a additional group of patients and found that the population of γδT cells was mainly CD27 negative which characterised these cells as non‐proliferating effector cells. Our results suggest predominance of a non‐proliferative effector subset of γδT cells in patients with sepsis, which retain functional activity and may contribute towards the host response to inflammation and infection.
Effect of Ionic Strength on the Rate of Extracellular Electron Transport in Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1 through Bound‐Flavin Semiquinones
Authors: Kalathil Shafeer , Hashimoto Kazuhito , Okamoto Akihiro 
Published: September 2014

AbstractCell‐secreted flavin binds to outer‐membrane c‐type cytochromes (OM c‐Cyts) as a redox cofactor in Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1, generating a semiquinone (Sq) state to enhance the rate of extracellular electron‐transport (EET) process by several orders of magnitude. Here, as ionic strength (Is) is a major factor in stabilizing bound Sq in flavoproteins, we examined the influence of Is on the flavin affinity in OM c‐Cyts to promote Sq formation for enhancing the rate of the EET process. Estimated dissociation constants showed that an increase in Is induces threefold higher Sq formation in OM c‐Cyts. However, the higher Is neither resulted in the larger current production nor current enhancement by flavin addition. Strong Is dependency for the redox potential of heme centers in OM c‐Cyts suggests that Is not only controls the stability of Sq, but also alters coupling constants among redox centers in OM c‐Cyts through structural changes.
One‐Pot Synthesis of CO2‐Responsive Magnetic Nanoparticles with Switchable Hydrophilicity
Authors: Chen Shucheng , Guo Chun Xian , Zhao Qipeng , Lu Xianmao 
Published: September 2014

AbstractCO2‐responsive nanoparticles have been attracted increasing interest due to their benign reactions with CO2 that give them gas‐switchable properties, which can be easily reversed by mild heating or purging with inert gases. In this work, we have prepared CO2‐responsive magnetic nanoparticles in a simple one‐pot polyol synthesis using diaminoalkanes as the surfactant. The as‐synthesized nanoparticles show excellent reversible aggregation and dispersion in response to alternating purging of N2 and CO2 at room temperature. We found that, among the diaminoalkanes with different chain lengths, 1,8‐diaminooctane is the best candidate for the synthesis of CO2‐responsive nanoparticles, since it allows good dispersity of the nanoparticles after charging with CO2 and also provides effective aggregation and separation following N2 purging. Moreover, the self‐assembly of 1,8‐diaminooctane‐functionalized nanoparticles can be controlled to form linear aggregates with the assistance of N2 and an external magnetic field, demonstrating an effective response to dual stimuli. This work paves the way for the direct synthesis of a wide range of CO2‐responsive nanoparticles.
Competitive Silyl–Prins Cyclization versus Tandem Sakurai–Prins Cyclization: An Interesting Substitution Effect
Authors: Diez‐Varga Alberto , Barbero Héctor , Pulido Francisco J. , González‐Ortega Alfonso , Barbero Asunción 
Published: September 2014

AbstractTwo different mechanism pathways are observed for the reaction of allylsilyl alcohols 1 and aldehydes in the presence of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf). In the case of allylsilyl alcohols without allylic substituents, the reaction gives dioxaspirodecanes, which are the products of a tandem Sakurai–Prins cyclization. In contrast, allylsilyl alcohols with an allylic substituent (R2≠H) selectively provide oxepanes, thus corresponding to a direct silyl–Prins cyclization. Both types of product are obtained with excellent stereoselectivity. Theoretical studies have been performed to obtain some rationalization for the observed stereoselectivity.
Water‐Soluble Manganese Inorganic Polymers: The Role of Carborane Clusters and Producing Large Structural Adjustments from Minor Molecular Changes
Authors: Fontanet Mònica , Rodríguez Montserrat , Fontrodona Xavier , Romero Isabel , Teixidor Francesc , Viñas Clara , Aliaga‐Alcalde Núria , Matějíček Pavel 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe reaction of two different carboranylcarboxylate ligands, 1‐CH3‐2‐CO2H‐1,2‐closo‐C2B10H10 or 1‐CO2H‐1,2‐closo‐C2B10H11, with MnCO3 in water leads to polymeric compounds 1 a and 1 b. Both compounds have been characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Additionally, electrochemical techniques have also been used for compound 1 a. X‐ray analysis revealed substantial differences between both compounds: whereas a six‐coordinated MnII compound with water molecules bridging two MnII centers has been observed for 1 a, a square pyramidal geometry around each MnII ion with terminal water molecules coordinated to each MnII center has been found for 1 b. The observed differences have been attributed to the existence of different substituents, CH3 or H, on one of the carbon atoms of the carboranylcarboxylate ligand. The reaction of 1 a and 1 b with coordinating solvents, such as ethers or Lewis bases, leads to the formation of new compounds with low (mononuclear 4 a, 4 b; dinuclear 3 a, 3 b; and trinuclear 2 a) or high nuclearity (hybrid polymer, 5 a), due to breakage of the corresponding polymer. X‐ray analysis shows that the structural core present in the polymeric materials is not maintained in the resulting compounds, with the exception of trinuclear compound 2 a. The magnetic properties of the compounds studied show weak antiferromagnetic coupling.
Unilateral and Multilateral Congenital Coronary‐Pulmonary Fistulas in Adults: Clinical Presentation, Diagnostic Modalities, and Management With a Brief Review of the Literature
Authors: Said Salah A. M. , Nijhuis Rogier L. G. , Akker Jeroen W. op den , Takechi Masaki , Slart Riemer H. J. A. , Bos Johannes S. , Hoorntje Caspar R. , Houwelingen K. Gert van , Bakker‐de Boo Mirjam , Braam Richard L. , Vet Thijs M. W. J. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundCongenital coronary‐pulmonary fistulas (CPFs) are commonly unilateral, but bilateral and multilateral fistulas may occur. In multilateral CPFs, the value of a multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) imaging technique as an adjuvant to coronary angiography (CAG) is eminent. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities, and management of coincidentally detected congenital CPFs.HypothesisUnilateral and multilateral coronary‐pulmonary fistulas are increasingly detected due to the wide speard application of multidetector computed tomography which might be a supplementary or replacing to conventional coronary angiography.MethodsWe evaluated 14 adult patients with congenital coronary artery fistulas (CAFs) who were identified from several Dutch cardiology departments.ResultsFourteen adult patients (5 female and 9 male), with a mean age of 57.5 years (range, 24–80 years) had the following abnormal findings: audible systolic cardiac murmur (n = 4), chronic atrial fibrillation (n = 2), nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (n = 1), and cardiomegaly on chest x‐ray (n = 2). Echocardiography revealed normal findings with trivial valvular abnormalities (n = 9), depressed left ventricle systolic function (n = 3), and severe mitral regurgitation and atrial dilatation (n = 2). The findings in the rest of the patients were unremarkable. CAG and MDCT were used as a diagnostic imaging techniques either alone (CAG, n = 6; MDCT, n = 1) or in combination (n = 7). Single modality and multimodality diagnostic methods revealed 22 fistulas including CPFs (n = 15), coronary cameral fistulas terminating into the right (n = 2) and the left atrium (n = 1), and systemic‐pulmonary fistulas (n = 4). Of all of the fistulas, 10 were unilateral, 6 were bilateral, and 6 was hexalateral. 13N‐ammonia positron emission tomography‐computed tomography was performed in 3 patients revealing decreased myocardial perfusion reserve.ConclusionsCAG remains the gold standard for detection of CPFs. An adjuvant technique using MDCT provides full anatomical details of the fistulas.
Exploring the Active Conformation of Cyclohexane Carboxylate Positive Allosteric Modulators of the Type 4 Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor
Authors: Rovira Xavier , Harrak Youssef , Trapero Ana , González‐Bulnes Patricia , Malhaire Fanny , Pin Jean‐Philippe , Goudet Cyril , Giraldo Jesús , Llebaria Amadeu 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe active conformation of a family of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 4 (mGlu4) positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) with the cyclohexane 1,2‐dicarboxylic scaffold present in cis‐2‐(3,5‐dichlorophenylcarbamoyl)cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (VU0155041) was investigated by testing structurally similar six‐membered ring compounds that have a locked conformation. The norbornane and cyclohexane molecules designed as mGlu4 conformational probes and the enantiomers of the trans diastereomer were computationally characterized and tested in mGlu4 pharmacological assays. The results support a VU0155041 active conformation, with the chair cyclohexane having the aromatic amide substituent in an axial position and the carboxylate in an equatorial position. Moreover, the receptor displays enantiomeric discrimination of the chiral PAMs. The constructed pharmacophore characterized a highly constrained mGlu4 allosteric binding site, thus providing a step forward in structure‐based drug design for mGlu4 PAMs.
Nature‐inspired soft computing for financial option pricing using high‐performance analytics
Authors: Thulasiram Ruppa K. , Thulasiraman Parimala , Prasain Hari , Jha Girish K. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryHigh‐performance computing has witnessed the push towards computer hardware design in the past decade. Many real world problems are both data and compute intensive. Designing efficient algorithms is important to make effective use of the hardware resources for fast data analysis. Finance is one application that will benefit from these supercomputers. Options are instruments that give opportunity to profit from market movements without making large investments. However, understanding the asset price behavior and making a decision to enter into an option contract is quite challenging, called option pricing problem, because underlying asset price might vary violently. In this paper, we propose a nature‐inspired soft computing, meta‐heuristic, particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to price options. We modify the PSO algorithm and incorporate varying volatility parameters to price options. The proposed algorithm, PSO with Varying Volatility (PSOwVV), is experimented with various PSO and financial parametric conditions. We also develop a parallel PSOwVV algorithm and implement on a distributed shared memory multi‐core machine. We show that the parallel algorithm performs well when the number of particles is linearly proportional to the number of processors. The parallel algorithm achieves a speedup of approximately 20× with 64 particles on a four node hybrid cluster. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Role of Functional Moieties on Carbon Nanotube Surfaces in Solar Energy Conversion
Authors: Roy D. , Tiwari N. , Mukhopadhyay K. , Shripathi T. , Saxena A. K. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAn easily dispersible multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) derivative is prepared, and provides a platform for the synthesis of the phenyl butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) analog. The carbene addition reaction of MWCNTs makes derivatives that are less soluble in organic solvents; by exploiting this differential solubility, PCBM analogs can be separated from the unreacted functionalized MWCNTs. Our experimental evidences indicate that it is the unique properties of the butyric acid methyl ester moiety that makes the acceptor material perform better in organic photovoltaics (OPVs). Studying the combination of the butyric acid methyl ester moiety and the deagglomerated functionalized MWCNT structures provides us an insight into nanoscale charge transfer and transportation inside the donor–acceptor domain. It is demonstrated that a strong structure–property relationship exists for the functionalized MWCNTs, which enables us to correlate the functionality on the carbon nanostructures with performance in OPVs.
Ultrafast FRET to Study Spontaneous Micelle‐to‐Vesicle Transitions in an Aqueous Mixed Surface‐Active Ionic‐Liquid System
Authors: Mandal Sarthak , Kuchlyan Jagannath , Banik Debasis , Ghosh Surajit , Banerjee Chiranjib , Khorwal Vijaykant , Sarkar Nilmoni 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe spontaneous micelle‐to‐vesicle transition in an aqueous mixture of two surface‐active ionic liquids (SAILs), namely, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium n‐octylsulfate ([C4mim][C8SO4]) and 1‐dodecyl‐3‐methylimidazoium chloride ([C12mim]Cl) is described. In addition to detailed structural characterization obtained by using dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and cryogenic TEM techniques, ultrafast fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from coumarin 153 (C153) as a donor (D) to rhodamine 6G (R6G) as an acceptor (A) is also used to study micelle–vesicle transitions in the present system. Structural transitions of SAIL micelles ([C4mim][C8SO4] or [C12mim]Cl micelles) to mixed SAIL vesicles resulted in significantly increased D–A distances, and therefore, increased timescale of FRET. In [C4mim][C8SO4] micelles, FRET between C153 and R6G occurs on an ultrafast timescale of 3.3 ps, which corresponds to a D–A distance of about 15 Å. As [C4mim][C8SO4] micelles are transformed into mixed micelles upon the addition of a 0.25 molar fraction of [C12mim]Cl, the timescale of FRET increases to 300 ps, which suggests an increase in the D–A distance to 31 Å. At a 0.5 molar fraction of [C12mim]Cl, unilamellar vesicles are formed in which FRET occurs on multiple timescales of about 250 and 2100 ps, which correspond to D–A distances of 33 and 47 Å. Although in micelles and mixed micelles the obtained D–A distances are well correlated with their radius, in vesicles the obtained D–A distance is within the range of the bilayer thickness.
Femtosecond Dynamics in the Lactim Tautomer of Phycocyanobilin: A Long‐Wavelength Absorbing Model Compound for the Phytochrome Chromophore
Authors: Singer Patrick , Fey Sonja , Göller Andreas H. , Hermann Gudrun , Diller Rolf 
Published: September 2014

AbstractTransient UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy is used to study the primary dynamics of the ring‐A methyl imino ether of phycocyanobilin (PCB‐AIE), which was shown to mimic the far‐red absorbance of the Pfr chromophore in phytochromes (R. Micura, K. Grubmayr, Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett.­ 1994, 4, 2517–2522). After excitation at 615 nm, the excited electronic state is found to decay with τ1=0.4 ps followed by electronic ground‐state relaxation with τ2=1.2 and τ3=6.7 ps. Compared with phycocyanobilin (PCB), the initial kinetics of PCB‐AIE is much faster. Thus, the lactim structure of PCB‐AIE seems to be a suitable model that could not only explain the bathochromic shift in the ground‐state absorption but also the short reaction of the Pfr as compared to the Pr chromophore in phytochrome. In addition, the equivalence of ring‐A and ring‐D lactim tautomers with respect to a red‐shifted absorbance relative to the lactam tautomers is demonstrated by semiempirical calculations.
Is It All about the Higher Dose? Why Psychoanalytic Therapy Is an Effective Treatment for Major Depression
Authors: Zimmermann Johannes , Löffler‐Stastka Henriette , Huber Dorothea , Klug Günther , Alhabbo Sarah , Bock Astrid , Benecke Cord 
Published: September 2014

Empirical evidence for the effectiveness of long‐term psychodynamic psychotherapy (LTPP) in patients with mood disorders is growing. However, it is unclear whether the effectiveness of LTPP is due to distinctive features of psychodynamic/psychoanalytic techniques or to a higher number of sessions. We tested these rival hypotheses in a quasi‐experimental study comparing psychoanalytic therapy (i.e., high‐dose LTPP) with psychodynamic therapy (i.e., low‐dose LTPP) and cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) for depression. Analyses were based on a subsample of 77 subjects, with 27 receiving psychoanalytic therapy, 26 receiving psychodynamic therapy and 24 receiving CBT. Depressive symptoms, interpersonal problems and introject affiliation were assessed prior to treatment, after treatment and at the 1‐, 2‐ and 3‐year follow‐ups. Psychoanalytic techniques were assessed from three audiotaped middle sessions per treatment using the Psychotherapy Process Q‐Set. Subjects receiving psychoanalytic therapy reported having fewer interpersonal problems, treated themselves in a more affiliative way directly after treatment and tended to improve in depressive symptoms and interpersonal problems during follow‐up as compared with patients receiving psychodynamic therapy and/or CBT. Multilevel mediation analyses suggested that post‐treatment differences in interpersonal problems and introject affiliation were mediated by the higher number of sessions, and follow‐up differences in depressive symptoms were mediated by the more pronounced application of psychoanalytic techniques. We also found some evidence for indirect treatment effects via psychoanalytic techniques on changes in introject affiliation during follow‐up. These results provide support for the prediction that both a high dose and the application of psychoanalytic techniques facilitate therapeutic change in patients with major depression. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Key Practitioner Message

Psychoanalytic therapy is an effective treatment for major depression, especially in the long run.
The differential effectiveness of psychoanalytic therapy cannot be fully explained by its higher dose.
Distinctive features of psychoanalytic technique (e.g., focusing on patients' dreams, fantasies, sexual experiences or childhood memories) may play an important role in establishing sustained therapeutic change.