bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Connexin43 Is Dispensable for Phagocytosis
Authors: Glass Aaron M. , Wolf Benjamin J. , Schneider Karin M. , Princiotta Michael F. , Taffet Steven M. 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Macrophages that lack connexin43 (Cx43), a gap junction protein, have been reported to exhibit dramatic deficiencies in phagocytosis. In this study, we revisit these findings using well-characterized macrophage populations. Cx43 knockout (Cx43−/−) mice die soon after birth, making the harvest of macrophages from adult Cx43−/− mice problematic. To overcome this obstacle, we used several strategies: mice heterozygous for the deletion of Cx43 were crossed to produce Cx43+/+ (wild type [WT]) and Cx43−/− fetuses. Cells isolated from 12- to 14-d fetal livers were used to reconstitute irradiated recipient animals. After reconstitution, thioglycollate-elicited macrophages were collected by peritoneal lavage and bone marrow was harvested. Bone marrow cells and, alternatively, fetal liver cells were cultured in media containing M-CSF for 7–10 d, resulting in populations of cells that were &gt;95% macrophages based on flow cytometry. Phagocytic uptake was detected using flow cytometric and microscopic techniques. Quantification of phagocytic uptake of IgG-opsonized sheep erythrocytes, zymosan particles, and Listeria monocytogenes failed to show any significant difference between WT and Cx43−/− macrophages. Furthermore, the use of particles labeled with pH-sensitive dyes showed equivalent acidification of phagosomes in both WT and Cx43−/− macrophages. Our findings suggest that modulation of Cx43 levels in cultured macrophages does not have a significant impact on phagocytosis.
B Cell Activation Is Regulated by the Stiffness Properties of the Substrate Presenting the Antigens
Authors: Wan Zhengpeng , Zhang Shaosen , Fan Yilin , Liu Kai , Du Feng , Davey Angel M. , Zhang Huiyuan , Han Weidong , Xiong Chunyang , Liu Wanli 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
B lymphocytes are activated upon Ag sensing by BCRs. The substrate presenting the Ag can show different degrees of stiffness. It is not clear whether B cells can respond to changes in substrate stiffness. In this study we use high-resolution, high-speed live cell imaging techniques to capture the molecular events in B cell activation after the recognition of Ags tethered to polyacrylamide gel substrates with variable degrees of stiffness as quantified by Young’s modulus (2.6–22.1 kPa). We show that the initiation of B cell activation is extremely sensitive to substrate stiffness. B cells exhibit much stronger activation responses when encountering Ags tethered to substrates with a high degree of stiffness as measured by the accumulation of BCR, phospho-spleen tyrosine kinase, and phosphotyrosine molecules into the B cell immunological synapse. Ags tethered to stiff substrates induce the formation of more prominent BCR and phospho-spleen tyrosine kinase microclusters with significantly enhanced colocalization as compared with Ags tethered to soft substrates. Moreover, the expression of the B cell activation marker CD69 is enhanced in B cells encountering Ags on stiffer substrates. Through time-lapse live cell imaging, we find that the different responses of B cells to substrate stiffness are only demonstrated 5 min after BCR and Ag recognition. Using a series of cytoskeleton inhibitors, we determine that the mechanosensing ability of B cells is dependent on microtubules, and only mildly linked to the actin cytoskeleton. These results suggest the importance of the mechanical properties mediated by substrate stiffness in B cell activation.
Decreased Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) Associated with HMGB1 and Increased Hyperactivity in Children with Autism
Authors: Russo Anthony J. 
Published: April 2013

Background Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), characterized by impaired social interactions and deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication, are thought to affect 1 in 88 children in the United States. There is much support for the role of growth factors in the etiology of autism. Recent research has shown that epithelial growth factor (EGF) is decreased in young autistic children (2–4 years of age). This study was designed to determine plasma levels of EGF in an older group of autistic children (mean age 10.6 years) and to correlate these EGF levels with putative biomarkers HGF, uPA, uPAR, GAD2, MPO GABA, and HMGB1, as well as symptom severity of 19 different symptoms. Subjects and Methods Plasma from 38 autistic children, 11 children with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD-NOS) and 40 neurotypical, age and gender similar controls was assessed for EGF concentration using ELISAs. Severity of 19 symptoms (awareness, expressive language, receptive language, (conversational) pragmatic language, focus/attention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, perseveration, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, hypotonia (low muscle tone), tiptoeing, rocking/pacing, stimming, obsessions/fixations, eye contact, sound sensitivity, light sensitivity, and tactile sensitivity) was assessed and then compared to EGF concentrations. Results In this study, we found EGF levels in autistic children and those with PDD-NOS to be significantly lower when compared with neurotypical controls. EGF levels correlated with HMGB1 levels but not the other tested putative biomarkers, and EGF correlated negatively with hyperactivity, gross motor skills, and tiptoeing but not other symptoms. Conclusions These results suggest an association between decreased plasma EGF levels and selected symptom severity. We also found a strong correlation between plasma EGF and HMGB1, suggesting inflammation is associated with decreased EGF.
From Fiscal Compact to Fiscal Union? New Rules for the Eurozone
Authors: Calliess Christian 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAs a consequence of the British veto a reform of the EU Treaty, with the aim to strengthen the stability of the eurozone by transferring new competences in the field of fiscal and economic policies, became impossible. Therefore an international Treaty, the so called Fiscal Compact, was concluded among 25 Member States of the EU. The contribution deals with the complex relationship between both Treaties, especially with the institutional arrangement. It argues that the Fiscal Compact is in comparison to the adopted secondary legislation, the so called Six Pack, of a rather symbolic nature. The more important is the legal link between Fiscal Compact and the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), which makes stability a precondition for European solidarity. European control of stability might interfere with the budget sovereignty of national parliaments but as stability is, since the Treaty of Maastricht, a legally binding principle of the European Monetary Union, its more efficient control is in line with former transfer of competence. Not least budget sovereignty is lost if an over-indebted Member State’s choice is just between sovereign default and financial aid by the ESM. A fully fledged European control of the national budget is therefore in the last resort legitimate.
The Advocate General: Bringing Clarity to CJEU Decisions? A Case-Study ofMangoldandKücükdeveci
Authors: Ćapeta Tamara 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe question at the centre of focus in this chapter is whether the Advocate Generals’ (AGs’) Opinions contribute to the clarity of the Court’s decisions and thus increase its legitimacy. Methodologically, it analyses the cases of Mangold and Kücükdeveci and the pertaining AGs’ Opinions. It also looks at the Opinions of other AGs in other cases that commented upon either of these two judgments. It concludes that due to the lack of response by the Court to the arguments offered by its AGs, their Opinions have a very weak capacity to clarify unreasoned parts of the judgment to the general public beyond the Court. Thus the only real beneficiary of the Opinions is the academic community.
Native Acetabular Version: 3D CT Analysis of the Psoas Valley
Authors: Osmani Humza Tariq , Henckel Johann , Cobb Justin , Hart Alister J. 
Published: April 2013

Insufficient version has been demonstrated to be a significant factor in increasing metal-on-metal cup wear. Another implication is the impingement of the psoas tendon at the anatomical depression on the anterior acetabular rim, called the psoas valley. It is not known whether the psoas valley has any anatomical significance when measuring native version. The effect of this landmark on the measurement of acetabular version has not been assessed using 3D CT. Sixty five high resolution CT scans of non-diseased hips (performed for colonography) were used to measure the anatomical version angles of the bony acetabular rim. Our new method, using the psoas valley, was compared to the reference method, which used the full 320° of the acetabular rim. The measurement of acetabular version was highly reproducible between the methods. Both methods measured the angle of version over a wide range: 5° to 35° for males and 10° to 40° for females. There were no statistically significant differences between genders (p = 0.3670). The Bland-Altman 1.96 SD lower and upper limits of agreement between the two methods were +4.6° and −4.3°, respectively. Intra-observer and inter-observer reliability were high for the new method. This adds to our understanding of native bony anatomy, and specifically provides a landmark that 3D CT has demonstrated to be potentially useful in assessing native version.
Samuel Palmer and the Pastoral Vision
Authors: Harrison Colin 
Published: April 2013

AbstractColin Harrison, Senior Curator of European Art at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, describes how the English 19th‐century artist Samuel Palmer was deeply influenced by the poet and painter William Blake. Palmer's sublime paintings of the 1820s placed a new emphasis on the harmony of nature, reinterpreting traditional subjects entirely afresh, placing the Holy Family not in the Holy Land, but in the English countryside.
The Golden Age: Between Wilderness and Utopia
Authors: Shepherd Dominic 
Published: April 2013

AbstractArtist Dominic Shepherd pursues the imaginative and a sense of mystery in his work; his 2012 one‐man show at Charlie Smith London was entitled ‘Jerusalem’. Here he reflects on the Golden Age as depicted in Cranach's masterpiece of that name, and ruminates on the cyclical nature of the pastoral, a landscape that is tended and nurtured by generations of hands.
The Land of Scattered Seeds
Authors: Puttick John 
Published: April 2013

AbstractArchitect John Puttick is now responsible for leading Make Architects' work in China. His diploma project for the Bartlett School of Architecture, Land of Scattered Seeds (2001), featured here and on the cover, has now taken on seminal status. Produced in book form, a copy was purchased by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.
Surviving Versus Living: Nature and Nurture
Authors: Leung May 
Published: April 2013

AbstractToday so many aspects of our everyday lives are dependent on nature, yet remain removed from it. Here, two speculative projects by the architect May Leung explore how nature can nurture in ways that space cannot, by creating self‐sustainable systems to change the way that we think about production, consumption, leisure and the routine of our working lives.
Dirty Futures: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Mother Nature
Authors: Ward Geoff 
Published: April 2013

AbstractNot only do bacterial cells in the human body outnumber human cells, but human habitation leaves microbial traces in the air and on surfaces. With these facts in mind, architect and academic Geoff Ward re‐examines recent perceptions of ‘the dirty’ and recasts the natural in architecture in relation to it.
The Persistence of the Pastoral
Authors: Clear Nic 
Published: April 2013

AbstractArchitect, animator and educator Nic Clear challenges the contemporary notion of the pastoral to go beyond the simplistic binary opposites of the untainted rural idyll and the industrialised city. He explores how the narratives of the pastoral have provided a mainstay for science fiction and how this can be used to re‐imagine nature itself with the aid of advanced biotechnologies to create new architectures for the 21st century.
Assembled Microcapsules by Doxorubicin and Polysaccharide as High Effective Anticancer Drug Carriers
Authors: Du Cuiling , Zhao Jie , Fei Jinbo , Cui Yue , Li Junbai 
Published: April 2013

AbstractDoxorubicin, together with the modified polysaccharide (alginate dialdehyde), was used as a wall material to fabricate microcapsules through self‐cross‐linking by a template method. The microcapsules as‐prepared are pH‐responsive. Relevant scanning electronic microscopy, atom force microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy confirm the morphology of the uniform microcapsules. The spectroscopic results show that the microcapsules are assembled through electrostatic interaction and Schiff's base covalent bonding. Doxorubicin can be released sustainably from the capsules in buffer solution at a lower pH value. The cellular uptake of the microcapsules and drug release induced by acidic microenvironment are time‐dependent processes. The cell cytotoxicity experiments in vitro demonstrate that the doxorubicin‐based microcapsules have high efficiency to kill the cancer cells.
Assessing the relationship between fluctuating asymmetry and cause of death in skeletal remains: A test of the developmental origins of health and disease hypothesis
Authors: Weisensee Katherine E. 
Published: April 2013

ObjectivesThis study examines the relationship between craniofacial fluctuating asymmetry and cause of death in an identified skeletal collection. This study tests the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis using fluctuating asymmetry as the measure of developmental instability.MethodsThe skeletal sample used in this study comes from Lisbon, Portugal, and individuals in the sample were born between 1806 and 1935. This represents a period during which Lisbon was beginning to undergo the modern health transition, in which mortality from infectious disease began to decline while mortality from degenerative diseases began to increase. Approximately equal numbers of individuals in the sample died from infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, and from degenerative diseases. Fluctuating asymmetry is examined using three‐dimensional landmark data collected from 392 individuals with documented causes of death. Landmark data may provide a more robust measure of fluctuating asymmetry, although it has not often been used in studies of fluctuating asymmetry in human skeletal samples.ResultsThe results of the study show that individuals who died from degenerative diseases have higher rates of fluctuating asymmetry compared to individuals who died from infectious diseases. Males also exhibit higher rates of fluctuating asymmetry compared to females.ConclusionsThe results of this study confirm earlier findings that early development has a significant impact on adult health outcomes. Furthermore, the results suggest that fluctuating asymmetry in skeletal samples may offer a means of testing the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 25:411–417, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis, Tautomeric Structures, and Antitumor Activity of New Perimidines
Authors: Farghaly Thoraya A. , Mahmoud Huda K. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractNew series of perimidine derivatives and fused perimidines were derived from the reaction of ketene aminals 1 and 2 with diazotized anilines or hydrazonoyl chlorides. In addition, 8,10‐disubstituted‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]perimidines (20a–m) were prepared through the reaction of perimidine‐2‐thione (15) with hydrazonoyl chlorides. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were established on the basis of spectral data and elemental analyses. Some products were investigated for their antitumor activities against the human breast cancer cell line MCF‐7 and the liver carcinoma cell line HEPG‐2, and the results of some derivatives showed promising activity.
Kastenfenster‐Optimierung im historischen Bestand
Authors: Huber Alfons , Korjenic Azra , Bednar Thomas 
Published: April 2013

AbstractEs ist allgemein bekannt, dass die Energie‐ und CO2‐Einsparung im Gebäudebereich eine zentrale Rolle auf dem Weg zur Erfüllung des Kyoto‐Protokolls und zur Einhaltung der Klimaziele spielt. Während man im Wohn‐ und Bürobereich schon am Plusenergielevel arbeitet, waren bis vor Kurzem alle Optimierungen und Verbesserungen in den Museen nur auf den Haustechnikbereich begrenzt. Der ständig steigende Einsatz von technisch gestützter Klimatisierung hat jedoch im Vergleich mit konventionellen, “passiven“ Klimakonzepten nicht zu der erwarteten signifikanten Verbesserung im historischen Baubestand geführt, dafür aber zu einer enormen Kostensteigerung im Bereich der Haustechnik sowie im laufenden Betrieb. Im Rahmen der hier präsentierten Untersuchungen wurden am Beispiel eines realen Objektes (Neue Burg in Wien) verschiedene Maßnahmen zur Verringerung der Transmissions‐ und Lüftungswärmeverluste sowie zur Reduktion der sommerlichen Wärmeeinträge durch Fenster durchgeführt und deren Auswirkung bewertet. Es hat sich gezeigt, dass durch relativ einfache Maßnahmen das thermische Verhalten von historischen Kastenfenstern um mindestens 25 % verbessert werden kannEnergy performance optimization of historic box‐type windows. It is well known that the energy and CO2 savings in the building sector play a key role in meeting the Kyoto Protocol and climate change targets. While plus energy levels are already being reached in the residential and office building sectors, all optimizations and improvements in museums were limited only to the building services sector until recently. The constantly increasing use of technology‐based air conditioning in comparison with conventional “passive” climate concepts do not result in the expected significant improvements in historical buildings, but an enormous increase in the operating costs of building services. In the study presented here, various measures to reduce transmission and ventilation heat losses, as well as the reduction of summer heat gains through windows were carried out and their effect evaluated on a real object (Neue Burg in Vienna). It has been shown that by relatively simple measures the thermal performance of historic box‐type windows can be improved by at least 25 %.
Impact of cellulase production on environmental and financial metrics for lignocellulosic ethanol
Authors: Hong Yan , Nizami Abdul‐Sattar , Pour Bafrani Mohammad , Saville Bradley A , MacLean Heather L 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe cost of cellulases remains a key issue in the production of cellulosic ethanol, and the impact of enzymes on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of cellulosic ethanol has received little attention. This study evaluates life cycle emissions and cellulase production costs for bioethanol production, considering on‐site and off‐site production options. A complete enzyme production process was simulated using AspenPlus, generating mass and energy balance information required to calculate GHG emissions and financial metrics.GHG emissions for cellulase production range from 10.2 to 16.0 g CO2 eq g–1 enzyme protein, depending on on‐site or off‐site production and the method of transportation. Enzyme GHG emissions are predicted to be 258 g CO2 eq. L–1 of ethanol for on‐site production, versus 403 g CO2 eq. L–1 for off‐site production, based on a 150 MMLY ethanol plant using 11.5 mg enzyme g–1 substrate and a cellulase fermentation yield of 90%.Cellulase production costs were estimated for a range of conditions, including ethanol plant size, enzyme dose and protein yield for on‐site production, and enzyme plant size, protein yield and return on investment for off‐site production. On‐site production costs range between $3.80 and $6.75 kg–1 protein, versus $4.00 to $8.80 kg–1 for off‐site production. In both scenarios, the lowest cost corresponds to a 90% protein yield, and a high enzyme demand and production capacity. An enzyme production cost of $4.70 USD kg–1 corresponds to an enzyme cost of 0.46 USD gal–1 ($0.12 L–1) of ethanol in a 150 MMLY plant using 11.5 mg enzyme g–1 substrate. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Systematic study of photoluminescence, lyoluminescence and mechanoluminescence in Ce3+‐ and Eu3+‐activated Li3PO4 phosphors
Authors: Sahu A. K. , Kore Bhushan P , Chowdhary P. S. , Nayar V. , Dhoble S. J. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACTLi3PO4 phosphor was prepared using a modified solid‐state diffusion technique. In this work, photoluminescence, lyoluminescence and mechanoluminescence studies were carried out in a Li3PO4 microcrystalline powder doped with different rare earths. In photoluminescence studies, characteristic emission of Ce and Eu was observed. The lyoluminescence glow curves of Li3PO4 microcrystals show that lyoluminescence intensity initially increases with time and then decreases exponentially. The decay time consists of two components for all masses. The dependence of decay time, especially the longer component, on mass has been investigated. Experiments on γ‐irradiated crystals have proved that the light emission originates from the recombination of released F‐centres with trapped holes (V2‐centres) at the sulfuric acid–solid interface. Incorporation of bivalent alkali in solid lithium phosphate leads to an enhancement of lyoluminescence. A possible explanation for the experimental results has been attempted. The phosphor has a mechanoluminescence single glow peak. Mechanoluminescence intensity under various loading conditions was investigated. It is observed that mechanoluminescence intensity increases with increasing impurity concentration and increasing piston impact velocity. The results may be considered as only being of academic interest in solid‐state materials. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
KOH Activation of Thermally Modified Carbon as a Support of Ru Catalysts for Ammonia Synthesis
Authors: Lin Bingyu , Wei Kemei , Ni Jun , Lin Jianxin 
Published: April 2013

AbstractCarbon supports with a low ratio of micropore volume to total pore volume can be prepared by KOH activation of thermally modified carbon. KOH treatment of carbons in nitrogen led to the creation of basic sites as well as acidic surface groups, whereas KOH treatment in air resulted in more acidic groups. Steam treatment quickly increased the surface area and pore volume, but did not create surface‐reactive groups. The increase in surface areas, micropores, and surface functional groups of carbon supports led to a decrease of the particle sizes, which not only improved the ability of hydrogen to migrate from Ru metal to the remote promoter precursors, but also increased the amount of adsorbed hydrogen and nitrogen. The properties of carbon combined with the size of the Ru particles affected the ammonia‐synthesis activity.
Amine Solutions for Biogas Upgrading: Ideal versus Non‐Ideal Absorption Isotherms
Authors: Privalova E. I. , Mäki‐Arvela P. , Eränen K. , Avetisov A. K. , Mikkola J.‐P. , Murzin D. Yu. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAmine solutions were applied in carbon dioxide removal from a model mixture of biogas, carried out in a loop reactor system. In addition, the effect of CO2 absorption acceleration in the presence of piperazine was confirmed and quantified, relating the obtained CO2 loading with the piperazine concentration. Further, the interactions of CO2 and water in aqueous amine solutions were discussed. The obtained acid gas loadings were accurately described taking into account the effect of the dissolved CO2 on the equilibrium constant. A logarithmic absorption isotherm that follows from such considerations and a saturation‐type isotherm were compared. In describing the experimental data, advantages and disadvantages of both approaches are discussed.