bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Signage Versus Environmental Affordances: Is the Explicit Information Strong Enough to Guide Human Behavior During a Wayfinding Task?
Authors: Vilar Elisângela , Rebelo Francisco , Noriega Paulo , Teles Júlia , Mayhorn Christopher 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThis study aims to explore how people behave when they have to find a location within a complex building and are confronted with situations where directional signage (i.e., explicit information) is in opposition to environmental affordances that naturally direct users towards a specific path, creating a situation with conflicting information (e.g., a brighter corridor vs. a darker corridor but with a directional sign indicating to follow the darker one). A virtual reality–based methodology was used and a between‐subject design was considered. Thus, participants were given the tasks of finding three publicly accessible central points in a virtual hotel and confronted with a two forced‐choice task of local scenes in which environmental variables (i.e., corridor width and brightness) and signage varied systematically, in two experimental conditions (i.e., neutral and signage). For the signage condition, signs were inserted to explicitly point in the opposite direction than that implicitly suggested by the environmental affordances, creating situations with conflicting information. Results indicate that environmental variables were able to direct people indoors acting as environmental affordances. Users preferred to follow the wider and brighter paths. However, when directional signage pointed in the opposite direction of the paths preferred by the participants, most of them complied with signage.
Novel genipin‐collagen immobilization of polylactic acid (PLA) fibers for use as tissue engineering scaffolds
Authors: Tambe Nisarg , Di Jin , Zhang Ze , Bernacki Susan , El‐Shafei Ahmed , King Martin W. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe material surface plays an important role in the case of biomaterials used as tissue engineering scaffolds. On exposure to a biological environment, extra cellular matrix (ECM) proteins are adsorbed non‐specifically onto the surface and cells interact indirectly with the surface through the adsorbed proteins. Most synthetic polymeric biomaterials lack the desirable surface properties for cells as well as have poor cellular adhesion due to their hydrophobic nature. The main objective of this study was to harness surface functionalization technologies to fabricate scaffolds that would be biocompatible and support the adhesion and proliferation of fibroblast cells. The collagen was immobilized on the surface of functionalized PLA via a novel natural cross‐linking molecule genipin which resulted in improved cell proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts as compared to the PLA surface coated with collagen without genipin. It is believed that genipin helps reduce steric problems between the functional groups and large protein molecules, and enables immobilized peptide to move more freely in a biological environment. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 103B: 1188–1197, 2015.
Kinetic modelling for the photocatalytic degradation of phenol by using TiO2‐coated glass raschig rings under simulated solar light
Authors: Sampaio Maria J , Silva Cláudia G , Silva Adrián M T , Faria Joaquim L 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDImmobilisation of TiO2 photocatalysts has proven to be an efficient technological approach concerning both practical and economical aspects. The efficiency of photocatalytic phenol degradation using glass raschig rings coated with TiO2 Aeroxide®P25 was evaluated in a recirculation reactor operating under simulated solar light irradiation, by comparing the first order reaction rate (r) as a function of several operation conditions.RESULTSThe reaction rate increases with the initial phenol concentration ([PhOH]0), the irradiation intensity (I), the number of TiO2‐coated rings (N), and the hydrogen peroxide concentration [H2O2], and is minimally affected by the solution's flow rate (Q). A kinetic model was developed for the determination of the r as a function of the operating parameters.CONCLUSIONSThe empirical model allows the prediction of the efficiency of the photocatalytic degradation process in a wide range of operation conditions, which can be considered a useful tool for the scaling‐up of the water treatment process. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Private Investigations of White‐Collar Crime Suspicions: A Qualitative Study of the Blame Game Hypothesis
Authors: Gottschalk Petter 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe activity of private investigations by fraud examiners is a business of lawyers, auditors, and other professionals who investigate suspicions of financial crime by white‐collar criminals. This paper presents results from an empirical study of investigation reports. The available sample consists of 28 reports written mostly by auditing firms such as Deloitte, Ernst & Young, and PwC. The blame game can occur at two stages in a private investigation. First, the mandate formulated by a client may point investigators in a specific direction. Next, investigators sometimes suffer from a tunnel view of predetermined opinions. In the sample of 28 investigations reports, more than half of them involve potential blame game victims. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transcription factor Mohawk controls tenogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Otabe Koji , Nakahara Hiroyuki , Hasegawa Akihiko , Matsukawa Tetsuya , Ayabe Fumiaki , Onizuka Naoko , Inui Masafumi , Takada Shuji , Ito Yoshiaki , Sekiya Ichiro , Muneta Takeshi , Lotz Martin , Asahara Hiroshi 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTMohawk homeobox (MKX) has been demonstrated as a tendon/ligament specific transcription factor. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of MKX in ligament/tenogenic differentiation of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs). Human BMMSCs were treated with 50 ng/ml BMP‐12 or transduced with MKX or scleraxis (SCX) adenoviral vector. Gene expression analysis was performed by quantitative reverse transcribed polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Rat BMMSCs were seeded in a collagen scaffold and transplanted into a rat Achilles tendon defect model. Tenogenesis related gene expressions and histological features were analyzed. BMP‐12 induced tenogenesis in BMMSCs as indicated by increased COL1a1, TNXB, DCN and SCX mRNA, and MKX expression increased simultaneously. Rat BMMSCs enhanced defect repair and were still detectable 3 weeks after transplantation. Increased expressions of COL1a1, TNC and TNMD in vivo were also correlated with upregulated MKX. Adenoviral MKX promoted expression of COL1a1, TNXB, and TNMD in BMMSCs. This study demonstrated that MKX gene expression is enhanced during the tenogenic differentiation of BMMSCs in vitro and in vivo, and the adenoviral overexpression of MKX increases tendon extracellular matrix gene expression and protein production. Thus, MKX is a key factor for tenogenic differentiation of MSCs. 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:1–8, 2015.
The expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes in the liver of rats exposed to high‐fructose diet in the period from weaning to adulthood
Authors: Glban Alhadi M , Vasiljević Ana , Veličković Nataša , Nikolić‐Kokić Aleksandra , Blagojević Duško , Matić Gordana , Nestorov Jelena 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDIncreased fructose consumption correlates with rising prevalence of various metabolic disorders, some of which were linked to oxidative stress. The relationship between fructose consumption and oxidative stress is complex and effects of a fructose‐rich diet on the young population have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate whether high‐fructose diet applied in the period from weaning to adulthood induces oxidative stress in the liver, thus contributing to induction or aggravation of metabolic disturbances in later adulthood. To that end we examined the effects of high‐fructose diet on expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes, markers of lipid peroxidation and protein damage in the liver as the main fructose metabolizing tissue.RESULTSHigh‐fructose diet increased only SOD2 (mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase) activity, with no effect on other antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation or accumulation of damaged proteins in the liver.CONCLUSIONThe results show that fructose‐induced metabolic disturbances could not be attributed to oxidative stress, at least not at young age. The absence of oxidative stress in the liver observed herein implies that young organisms are capable of maintaining redox homeostasis when challenged by fructose‐derived energy overload. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Quality changes of fresh‐cut pomegranate arils during shelf life as affected by deficit irrigation and postharvest vapour treatments
Authors: Peña‐Estévez María E , Gómez Perla A , Artés Francisco , Aguayo Encarna , Martínez‐Hernández Ginés Benito , Otón Mariano , Galindo Alejandro , Artés‐Hernández Francisco 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe effect of two sustained deficit irrigation (SDI) strategies, compared to a control, on postharvest physicochemical, microbial, sensory quality attributes and anthocyanin content of fresh‐cut pomegranates arils throughout 18 days at 5 °C was studied. Furthermore, the effect of vapour treatments (4, 7 and 10 s) compared to a conventional sanitizing treatment with NaClO on such quality parameters in combination with the preharvest treatments was also studied.RESULTSAccording to sensory analyses, the shelf life of arils from control and SDI‐irrigated fruit was established in 14 and 18 days at 5 °C, respectively, showing 4 and 7 s vapour treatment time the best sensory quality. No significant change was observed in physicochemical quality attributes, across all treatments during storage, while low microbial loads were registered (<3 log CFU g−1) after shelf life. Postharvest treatments that had least effect on anthocyanin content on processing day were 7 and 10 s.CONCLUSIONVapour treatments of 7–10 s applied to pomegranate arils led to an extended shelf life up to 18 days at 5 °C with better results in SDI‐irrigated samples with a water saving of 6–11%. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Recent Advances in Glycerol Polymers: Chemistry and Biomedical Applications
Authors: Zhang Heng , Grinstaff Mark W. 
Published: October 2014

Glycerol polymers are attracting increased attention due to the diversity of polymer compositions and architectures available. This article provides a brief chronological review on the current status of these polymers along with representative examples of their use for biomedical applications. First, the underlying chemistry of glycerol that provides access to a range of monomers for subsequent polymerizations is described. Then, the various synthetic methodologies to prepare glycerol‐based polymers including polyethers, polycarbonates, polyesters, and so forth are reviewed. Next, several biomedical applications where glycerol polymers are being investigated including carriers for drug delivery, sealants or coatings for tissue repair, and agents possessing antibacterial activity are described. Fourth, the growing market opportunity for the use of polymers in medicine is described. Finally, the findings are concluded and summarized, as well as the potential opportunities for continued research efforts are discussed.
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Influence of Vitamin C on Morphological and Thermal Behaviour of Biomedical UHMWPE
Authors: Souza Vanessa Castro , Oliveira Juliano Elvis , Lima Severino J. Guedes , Silva Lucineide Balbino 
Published: October 2014

SummaryBiomedical Ultra‐High‐Molecular‐Weight Polyethylene (B‐UHMWPE) is widely used in orthopaedics as a biomaterial because of its mechanical properties and biocompatibility. However the adding of vitamin antioxidants can influence the inflammatory process. Thus, the objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of adding ascorbic acid (vitamin C) at different concentrations to the B‐UHMWPE matrix, using for this purpose the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analyses. The vitamin C was mixed with B‐UHMWPE in concentrations of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0%wt and the molding was performed with a 10MPa load at 160 °C for 6min.The fracture surface of cross‐sectional area of B‐UHMWPE modified with vitamin C showed that the vitamin is present in the polymer matrix in the form of small agglomerates, being an indication that there was no fusion of the vitamin C during the processing step. Using the technique of differential scanning calorimetry it was observed that the melting temperature remained constant as well as the crystallisation temperature, but there was a small variation in crystallinity with the addition of vitamin C. From this study, we conclude that the presence of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) did not alter the thermal properties of crystallisation and melting of B‐UHMWPE.
Synthesis of Nanoparticles Loaded with Tamoxifen by in Situ Miniemulsion RAFT Polymerization
Authors: Moreira Tailane Sant'Anna , de Oliveira Marco Antônio Monteiro , da Rocha e Lima Luis Mauricio Trambaioli , de Souza Márcio Nele , da Silva Pinto José Carlos Costa 
Published: October 2014

SummaryTamoxifen (TXF) is a drug used as a hormonal agent for treatment of breast cancer. Due to its low solubility/bioavailability, the effectiveness of TXF can be improved when the drug is combined with drug delivery systems (DDS). For this reason, the in situ incorporation of TXF in polymer particles produced through miniemulsion polymerizations is studied here. Reactions were performed through standard free radical (FR) and RAFT polymerizations, using methyl methacrylate (MMA) as monomer and 2,2'‐azobisisobutironitrila (AIBN) as initiator. It is shown that TXF can be incorporated successfully into the final polymer particles through miniemulsion polymerizations and that the presence of TXF in the reaction medium does not affect significantly the reaction rates, the particle size distribution and the molar mass distribution of the final polymer, even when the monomer feed contains 10 wt% of drug. Therefore, it is shown that DDS containing TXF can be produced by in situ miniemulsion FR and RAFT MMA polymerizations.
Measuring symptoms and diagnosing mental disorders in the elderly community: the test–retest reliability of the CIDI65+
Authors: Wittchen Hans‐Ulrich , Strehle Jens , Gerschler Anja , Volkert Jana , Dehoust Maria Christina , Sehner Susanne , Wegscheider Karl , Ausìn Berta , Canuto Alessandra , Crawford Mike , Da Ronch Chiara , Grassi Luigi , Hershkovitz Yael , Munoz Manuel , Quirk Alan , Rotenstein Ora , Santos‐Olmo Ana Belén , Shalev Arieh , Weber Kerstin , Schulz Holger , Härter Martin , Andreas Sylke 
Published: October 2014

AbstractPrevalence findings for the elderly are artificially low, most likely due to insufficient consideration of age‐related cognitive abilities in diagnostic interviews.Aims(1) To describe the rationale for the development of an age‐adapted Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI65+) for use in a European project (MentDis_ICF65+). (2) To examine its test–retest reliability.MethodsBased on substantive pilot work the CIDI standard questions were shortened, broken down into shorter subsets and combined with sensitization questions and dimensional measures. Test–retest was determined in N = 68 subjects aged 60–79 years via two independent examinations by clinical interviewers using kappa (sensitivity, specificity) for categorical and intraclass correlation (ICC) coefficients for dimensional measures.ResultsTest–retest reliability was good for any mental disorder (κ = 0.63), major depression (κ = 0.55), anxiety (κ = 0.62, range = 0.30–0.78), substance (κ = 0.77, range = 0.71–0.82), obsessive‐compulsive disorder (κ = 1.00) and most core symptoms/syndromes (κ range = 0.48–1.00). Agreement for some disorders (i.e. somatoform/pain) attenuated, partly due to time lapse effects. ICC for age of onset, recency, quantity, frequency and duration questions ranged between κ = 0.60–0.90. Dimensional agreement measures were not consistently higher.ConclusionThe age‐adapted CIDI65+ is reliable for assessing most mental disorders, distress, impairment and time‐related information in the elderly, prompting the need to examine validity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of hydrophobic mismatch on the catalytic activity of Escherichia coliGlpG rhomboid protease
Authors: Foo Alexander C. Y. , Harvey Brandon G. R. , Metz Jeff J. , Goto Natalie K. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractRhomboids comprise a broad family of intramembrane serine proteases that are found in a wide range of organisms and participate in a diverse array of biological processes. High‐resolution structures of the catalytic transmembrane domain of the Escherichia coli GlpG rhomboid have provided numerous insights that help explain how hydrolytic cleavage can be achieved below the membrane surface. Key to this are observations that GlpG hydrophobic domain dimensions may not be sufficient to completely span the native lipid bilayer. This formed the basis for a model where hydrophobic mismatch Induces thinning of the local membrane environment to promote access to transmembrane substrates. However, hydrophobic mismatch also has the potential to alter the functional properties of the rhomboid, a possibility we explore in the current work. For this purpose, we purified the catalytic transmembrane domain of GlpG into phosphocholine or maltoside detergent micelles of varying alkyl chain lengths, and assessed proteolytic function with a model water‐soluble substrate. Catalytic turnover numbers were found to depend on detergent alkyl chain length, with saturated chains containing 10–12 carbon atoms supporting maximal activity. Similar results were obtained in phospholipid bicelles, with no proteolytic activity being detected in longer‐chain lipids. Although differences in thermal stability and GlpG oligomerization could not explain these activity differences, circular dichroism spectra suggest that mismatch gives rise to a small change in structure. Overall, these results demonstrate that hydrophobic mismatch can exert an inhibitory effect on rhomboid activity, with the potential for changes in local membrane environment to regulate activity in vivo.
Is there any prognostic impact of intraductal carcinoma of prostate in initial diagnosed aggressively metastatic prostate cancer?
Authors: Zhao Tao , Liao Banghua , Yao Jin , Liu Jiyan , Huang Rui , Shen Pengfei , Peng Zhufeng , Gui Haojun , Chen Xueqin , Zhang Peng , Zhu Yuchun , Li Xiang , Wei Qiang , Zhou Qiao , Zeng Hao , Chen Ni 
Published: October 2014

BACKGROUNDIntraductal carcinoma of prostate (IDC‐P) was usually found to be co‐exist with conventional aggressive prostate adenocarcinoma. The presence of IDC‐P was considered as an adverse pathological factor, which was associated with high Gleason score, large prostate volume and accelerated disease progression. However, no any information is available on the presence of IDC‐P diagnosed by needle biopsy in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. We investigated the incidence and prognostic value of intraductal carcinoma of prostate (IDC‐P) in initial diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer.METHODSWe included 278 patients with initial diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer treated between 2008 and 2011, all the pathological diagnosis were from ultrasonic‐guided transperineal needle biopsy. IDC‐P was strictly defined according to Epstein's criteria. Analyzed factors included age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score, clinical T staging, Gleason scores, baseline prostate specific antigen (PSA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), hemoglobin (HGB), PSA normalization, and the presence of IDC‐P.RESULTSTotally, IDC‐P was found in 57/278 (20.5%) cases. Univariate analysis showed that, compared with cases without IDC‐P, cases with IDC‐P was definitely associated with much shorter CRPC‐free survival (CFS) time (46.05 ± 1.39 vs. 22.98 ± 1.80 months, P = 0.000) and OS time (50.38 ± 1.18 vs. 36.43 ± 2.10 months, P = 0.000). Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of IDC‐P was the only independent prognostic factor associated with poor CFS (HR = 4.886, P = 0.011) and OS (HR = 1.945, P = 0.020). Further sub‐analysis showed, even among patients with higher Gleason score (≥8) (n = 158), IDC‐P was still significantly and inversely associated with CFS and OS (the median CFS time: 40 versus 22 months; P = 0.000; the median OS time: 54 vs. 36 months, P = 0.000). Again, Cox's regression model confirmed that only the presence of IDC‐P was still not only an independent prognostic factor predicting shorter time of CRPC (HR = 4.031, P = 0.035), but also for poorer OS (HR = 2.499, P = 0.006).CONCLUSIONSThe presence of IDC‐P in initial diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer, even among patients with more aggressive pattern, was firstly found to be significantly and independently associated with earlier occurrence of CRPC and poorer OS. We recommended the presence of IDC‐P should be a routine record in pathological report of clinical diagnosis and other potential therapeutic regimen might be added to intervene in the integrated therapy as early as possible. Prostate 75:225–232, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Soluble expression of pullulanase from Bacillus acidopullulyticus in Escherichia coli by tightly controlling basal expression
Authors: Chen Ana , Li Yamei , Liu Xiuxia , Long Quan , Yang Yankun , Bai Zhonghu 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Bacillus acidopullulyticus pullulanase (BaPul13A) is a widely used debranching enzyme in the starch industry. A few details have been reported on the heterologous expression of BaPul13A in Escherichia coli (E. coli). This study compares different E. coli expression systems to improve the soluble expression level of BaPul13A. When pET22b(+)/pET28a(+) was used as the expression vector, the soluble expression of BaPul13A can be achieved by tightly controlling basal expression, whereas pET-20b(+)/pGEX4T2 leads to insoluble inclusion bodies. An efficient process control strategy aimed at minimizing the formation of inclusion bodies and enhancing the production of pullulanase was developed by a step decrease of the temperature in a 5-L fermentor. The highest total enzyme activity of BaPul13A reached 1,156.32 U/mL. This work reveals that the T7 promoter with lac operator and lacI gene collectively contribute to the soluble expression of BaPul13A, whereas either a T7 promoter alone or combined with the lac operator and lacI gene results in poor solubility. Basal expression in the initial growth phase of the host significantly affects the solubility of BaPul13A in E. coli.