bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
von Willebrand Factor multimers profiling with a semi‐automated system
Authors: Pasotti Fabio , Martini Giuliana , Caimi Luigi , Ricotta Doris 
Published: January 2013

Abnormalities in plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) concentration and function result in von Willebrand disease (vWD). The diagnosis requires a battery of tests such as screening procedures, confirmatory tests, phenotypic characterization, and genotyping. The phenotypic testing (multimer pattern analysis) is important in order to subclassify the hereditary and the acquired forms of vWD. Only few laboratories are skilled to perform this analysis. The extreme range of protein size from 250 kDa monomer to over 20 000 kDa multimers requires a time‐consuming procedure (3–4 days) and presents many technical difficulties. To standardize the method and to overcome technical difficulties, we developed a rapid and sensitive semi‐automated method to visualize the multimeric structure of vWF. The semi‐automated method we present performs the electrophoresis of patient's plasma in 120 min on a precast gel. Gels are suitable for the G26 Interlab instrumentation. After gel blotting, the method allows visualization of the vWF multimer pattern directly on the membrane. We reduced the time required from 72 to 8 h and we propose this test for the first level screening of vWF multimer deficiency.
ADVANCES AND CHALLENGES WITH MICRO‐IRRIGATION
Authors: Madramootoo Chandra A. , Morrison Jane 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTAs global concerns surrounding water scarcity and food security escalate, there will be more demand for micro‐irrigation to meet growing food demands. Micro‐irrigation offers many advantages over conventional irrigation methods, including the ability to apply limited amounts of water directly to the crop root zone, incorporation of fertigation, reduced weed and pest infestation, and lower capital and operating costs. In recent decades, there has been considerable growth in the acreage under micro‐irrigation, mainly as a result of lower costs, improvements in filtration and emitter technology, and increased grower confidence in the technology. Research advances and technological improvements have made micro‐irrigation applicable to a more diverse set of applications, cropping systems, and water quality conditions. Cost and availability of water are also major drivers. Research in nano‐ and biofiltration techniques, soil moisture sensors, and precision irrigation shows great promise for the advancement of micro‐irrigation. Nevertheless, several technological challenges remain, especially for non‐row or non‐orchard crops, and in regions where water quality is severely impaired. Innovations in these areas are required, as well as a transfer of the technology to small farmers in water‐scarce regions who traditionally surface irrigate. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NONLINEAR GROWTH EFFECTS OF TAXATION: A SEMI‐PARAMETRIC APPROACH USING AVERAGE MARGINAL TAX RATES
Authors: Arin K. Peren , Berlemann Michael , Koray Faik , Kuhlenkasper Torben 
Published: January 2013

SUMMARYOne of the major challenges of empirical tax research is the identification and calculation of appropriate tax data. While there is consensus that average marginal tax rates are most suitable for studying the effects of tax policy on economic growth, because of data limitations the calculation of marginal tax rates has been limited to the USA and the UK. This paper provides calculations of average marginal tax rates for the four Scandinavian countries using the methodologies of Seater (1982, 1985) and Barro and Sahasakul (1983, 1986). Then, by pooling the newly calculated tax rates for the Scandinavian countries with the data for the USA and the UK, we investigate the effects of tax policy shocks on the per capita GDP growth rate. Our results suggest that an increase in average marginal tax rates has a negative impact on economic growth. Employing additive mixed panel models with penalized splines as estimation approach, we show that changes in tax rates have nonlinear effects. Increasing average marginal tax rates turn out to be the most distorting at relatively moderate tax rates. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
THE DEMAND FOR GASOLINE: EVIDENCE FROM HOUSEHOLD SURVEY DATA
Authors: Chang Dongfeng , Serletis Apostolos 
Published: January 2013

SUMMARYIn this paper we investigate the demand for gasoline in Canada using recent annual expenditure data from the Canadian Survey of Household Spending, over a 13‐year period from 1997 to 2009, on three expenditure categories in the transportation sector: gasoline, local transportation, and intercity transportation. In doing so, we use three of the most widely used locally flexible functional forms, the Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) of Deaton and Muellbauer (1980), the quadratic AIDS (QUAIDS) of Banks et al. (1997)—an extension of the simple AIDS model that can generate quadratic Engel curves—and the Minflex Laurent model of Barnett (1983), which can also generate quadratic Engel curves. We pay explicit attention to economic regularity, argue that unless regularity is attained by luck, flexible functional forms should always be estimated subject to regularity as suggested by Barnett (2002), and impose local curvature to produce inference consistent with neoclassical microeconomic theory. Our findings indicate that the curvature‐constrained Minflex Laurent model is the only model that is able to provide theoretically consistent estimates of the Canadian demand for gasoline. Our estimates show that the own‐price elasticity for gasoline demand in Canada is between − 0.738 and − 0.570 —less elastic than previously reported in the literature. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Charge Transfer Complexes of Some Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines with π‐Organic Acceptors in Polar Solvents
Authors: Abdalla N. A. , El‐Haty M. T. , Adam F. A. , Hassan F. W. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractA conductometric titration technique has been used to investigate the electron transfer activity of CT molecular complexes formed by arylazopyrimidine and naphthylazopyrimidine derivatives as donors and the organic π‐acceptors p‐nitroaniline, p‐chloroaniline, p‐bromoaniline, anthraquinone, picric acid, α‐nitroso‐β‐naphthol, p‐hydroxybenzaldehyde and maleic anhydride. The study was performed at different degree of temperature and in three different polar solvents namely N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF), acetonitrile (ACN) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The stoichiometric ratios of these complexes were found to be 1:1. The dissociation constant (ασM) values of the formed complexes have been calculated, and the effects of solvents as well as types of electron donors on their conductance σp‐values have been examined.
DFT Study of the Geometrical and Electronic Structures of Geminal Dicationic Ionic Liquids 1,3‐Bis[3‐methylimidazolium‐1‐yl]hexane Halides
Authors: Farmanzadeh Davood , Soltanabadi Azim , Yeganegi Saied 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIn this work, the geometrical and electronic properties of the mono cationic ionic liquid 1‐hexyl‐3‐methylimidazolium halides ([C6(mim)]+_X−, X=Cl, Br and I) and dicationic ionic liquid 1,3‐bis[3‐methylimidazolium‐1‐yl]hexane halides ([C6(mim)2X2], X=Cl, Br and I) were studied using the density functional theory (DFT). The most stable conformer of these two types ionic liquids (IL) are determined and compared with each other. Results show that in the most stable conformers, in both monocationic ILs and dicationic ILs, the Cl− and Br− anions prefer to locate almost in the plane of the imidazolium ring whereas the I− anion prefers nearly vertical location respect to the imidazolium ring plan. Comparison of hydrogen bonding and ionic interactions in these two types of ionic liquids reveals that these ionic liquids can be formed hydrogen bond by Cl− and Br− anion. The calculated thermodynamic functions show that the interaction of cation — anion pair in the dicationic ionic liquids are more than monocationic ionic liquids and these interactions decrease with increasing the halide anion atomic weight.
Simultaneous Electroluminescence
Authors: Ibanez Jorge G. , Zavala‐Araiza Daniel , Sotomayor‐MartínezBarranco Biaani 
Published: January 2013

AbstractA proof‐of‐concept for the production of simultaneous electroluminescence in a single electrochemical cell in a basic medium and using H2O2 as a co reactant is obtained: at the anode by means of the direct oxidation of luminol to yield an excited emitting species, and in the catholyte by an indirect mediated process involving the initial reduction of ClO2− to produce ClO−, which then reacts with luminol (also to produce an excited emitting species). Emission spectra and possible mechanistic pathways are discussed.
Chiral Auxiliary Based Reductive Alkylation of α,α‐Diallkyl β‐Phosphonyl Esters
Authors: Bau Jr‐Sheng , Chen I‐Chia , Yanga Zhen‐Xing , Zhu Jia‐Liang 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAcyclic α,α‐disubstituted β‐phosphonyl esters containing chiral alcoholic auxiliaries were efficiently prepared and evaluated for the lithium naphthalenide‐mediated asymmetric reductive alkylation. Among which, the best diastereoselectivity was received from the substrates bearing a (−)‐phenylmenthyl group in leading to alkylated esters with up to 83:17 dr. The diastereoselectivity is proven to be controlled by the π‐facial differentiation created by the chiral ester as well as the geometry of tetrasubstituted enolates generated by the reductive cleavage of C‐P bond.
Fracture Toughness Enhancement of UV‐Cured Epoxy Coatings Containing Al2O3 Nanoparticles
Authors: Sangermano Marco , Naguib Mohamed , Messori Massimo 
Published: January 2013

AbstractCommercially available alumina powder (α‐Al2O3 nanoparticles with 150 nm diameter) is added up to 4 vol% into cycloaliphatic epoxy resins and cured using UV light. Chemical and physical investigations of these UV‐cured, reinforced epoxy resin are carried out. The FTIR analysis indicates decreasing effect of these nanoparticles on the curing rate. The FESEM study for the fracture surface of reinforced epoxy resins revealed increase in the surface roughness that might be a sign of toughness enhancement. Also, an improvement in the scratch resistance was noticed for samples containing alumina filler. magnified image
Morphology and Core Continuity of Liquid‐Crystal‐Functionalized, Coaxially Electrospun Fiber Mats Tuned via the Polymer Sheath Solution
Authors: Scalia Giusy , Enz Eva , Calò Oronzo , Kim Dae Kyom , Hwang Minsik , Lee Jong Hwan , Lagerwall Jan P. F. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBy electrospinning liquid crystals coaxially inside a polymer sheath, responsive fibers with application potential, e.g., in wearable sensors can be produced. We conduct a combined scanning electron/polarizing microscopy study of such fibers, concluding that a match between the properties of the sheath solution and that of the core fluid is vital for achieving well‐formed and well‐filled fibers. Problems that may otherwise arise are fibers that are continuously filled, but partially collapsed; or fibers in which the core breaks up into droplets due to a mismatch in elongational viscosity between inner and outer fluids. magnified image
Influence of Alkylaluminum Co‐catalysts on TiCl4 Transalkylation and Formation of Active Centers C* in Ziegler–Natta Catalysts
Authors: Trischler Heinrich , Schöfberger Wolfgang , Paulik Christian 
Published: January 2013

AbstractActive center C* formation on Ziegler–Natta catalysts trough reaction with trialkylaluminum co‐catalysts is one prerequisite for the production of polymer. Charge‐transfer complexes of triethylaluminum with chlorocyclohexane can promote transalkylation reaction of dimeric Ti2Cl8 potential active centers. The different transalkylation and hydride transfers are studied by measurement of gaseous products with head space GC‐MS. Four‐ and six‐center transition states for transalkylation reactions on Corradini site are calculated with density functional theory (DFT) and compared in energy. The fast six‐center TS at higher Al/Ti ratios is proposed to be the reason for the over‐reduction of the active center and for the formation of inactive Ti+II species during propene polymerization. magnified image
Mathematical Model of Polyether Production From 1,3‐Propanediol
Authors: Cui Wei J. , McAuley Kimberley B. , Whitney Ralph A. , Spence Rupert E. , Xie Tuyu 
Published: January 2013

AbstractA mathematical model is developed for condensation polymerization of 1,3‐propanediol to produce Cerenol polyether. The effect of the super‐acid catalyst is considered explicitly in the proposed reaction mechanism. The main reactions include protonation/deprotonation equilibrium, polycondensation, carbocation formation, end degradation, and transetherification. Formation of propanal and secondary hydroxyl ends is also considered. Mass transfer of water, propanal, and monomer from the liquid phase into nitrogen bubbles is included in the model. The proposed model predicts the time evolution of number average molecular weight and concentrations of water, propanal, monomer, and unsaturated end groups, along with evaporation rates of small molecules. Data from isothermal batch experiments are used to estimate model parameters. Steep upward trends in degree of polymerization and in concentration of unsaturated ends are not predicted well at long reaction times based on the current model. magnified image
Ionic liquid/poly(ionic liquid)‐based electrolytes for energy devices
Authors: Qiu Bo , Lin Bencai , Yan Feng 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIonic liquids are organic salts with melting points generally below 100 °C. They are attracting wide attention and are used as electrolytes in electrochemical devices, such as fuel cells, lithium‐ion batteries, dye‐sensitized solar cells, supercapacitors and light‐emitting electrochemical cells, due to their negligible vapor pressure, high ionic conductivity and wide electrochemical window. This perspective article highlights the applications of ionic liquid‐ or poly(ionic liquid)‐based electrolytes in fuel cells, dye‐sensitized solar cells and supercapacitors. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Mapping O‐glycosylation of apolipoprotein C‐III in MALDI‐FT‐ICR protein profiles
Authors: Nicolardi Simone , van der Burgt Yuri E. M. , Wuhrer Manfred , Deelder André M. 
Published: January 2013

Ultrahigh resolution MALDI‐FT‐ICR profiles were obtained from human serum samples that were processed using a fully automated RPC18‐based magnetic bead method. Proteins were profiled from m/z value 6630 with a resolving power of 73 000 up to m/z value 12 600 with a resolving power of 37 000. In this study, a detailed evaluation was performed of the isoforms of apolipoprotein C‐III, i.e. the different mucin‐type core 1 O‐glycans with the addition of one or two sialic acid residues. The MALDI‐FT‐ICR profiles are discussed with regard to reproducibility of the signal intensities as well as the accurate mass measurements. ESI‐FT‐ICR‐MS/MS analyses of the same serum samples were performed to confirm the identity of apolipoprotein C‐III glycoforms.
Improved protein extraction and protein identification from archival formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded human aortas
Authors: Fu Zongming , Yan Kun , Rosenberg Avraham , Jin Zhicheng , Crain Barbara , Athas Grace , Heide Richard S. Vander , Howard Timothy , Everett Allen D. , Herrington David , Van Eyk Jennifer E. 
Published: January 2013

PurposeEvaluate combination of heat and elevated pressure to enhance protein extraction and quality of formalin‐fixed (FF), and FF paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) aorta for proteomics.Experiment designProteins were extracted from fresh frozen aorta at room temperature (RT). FF and FFPE aortas (3 months and 15 years) were extracted at RT, heat alone, or a combination of heat and high pressure. Protein yields were compared, and digested peptides from the extracts were analyzed with MS.ResultsCombined heat and elevated pressure increased protein yield from human FF or FFPE aorta compared to matched tissues with heat alone (1.5‐fold) or at RT (8.3‐fold), resulting in more proteins identified and with more sequence coverage. The length of storage did adversely affect the quality of proteins from FF tissue. For long‐term storage, aorta was preserved better with FFPE than FF alone. Periostin and MGF‐E8 were demonstrated suitable for MRM assays from FFPE aorta.Conclusions and clinical relevanceCombination of heat and high pressure is an effective method to extract proteins from FFPE aorta for downstream proteomics. This method opens the possibility for use of archival and often rare FFPE aortas and possibly other tissues available to proteomics for biomarker discovery and quantification.
Precursor state of skyrmions in MnSi: a heat capacity study
Authors: Samatham S. Shanmukharao , Ganesan V. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe magnetic phase diagram of MnSi based on the detailed magneto‐heat capacity study is presented. It shows the A‐phase, a precursor to the formation of stable skyrmion lattice, along with the intermediate, helical, conical, ferromagnetic and paramagnetic phases. The field isotherms of specific heat in and around the transition temperature reveal the different magnetic modulations. The local minima represent the relatively low entropy state due to the formation of A‐phase as a precursor to the stable skyrmion lattice. The field‐induced second‐order phase transition is observed by melting the intermediate phase. The region of existence of first‐order phase transition is found to be, effectively, from helical to the intermediate phase. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
TGF‐β1 Conjugated to Gold Nanoparticles Results in Protein Conformational Changes and Attenuates the Biological Function
Authors: Tsai Yuh‐Shyan , Chen Yu‐Hung , Cheng Pai‐Chiao , Tsai Hsin‐Tzu , Shiau Ai‐Li , Tzai Tzong‐Shin , Wu Chao‐Liang 
Published: January 2013

AbstractGold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are widely used as carriers or therapeutic agents due to their great biocompatibility and unique physical properties. Transforming growth factor‐beta 1 (TGF‐β1), a member of the cysteine‐knot structural superfamily, plays a pivotal role in many diseases and is known as an immunosuppressive agent that attenuates immune response resulting in tumor growth. The results reported herein reflect strong interactions between TGF‐β1 and the surface of AuNPs when incubated with serum‐containing medium, and demonstrate a time‐ and dose‐dependent pattern. Compared with other serum proteins that can also bind to the AuNP surface, AuNP–TGFβ1 conjugate is a thermodynamically favored compound. Epithelial cells undergo epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) upon treatment with TGF‐β1; however, treatment with AuNPs reverses this effect, as detected by cell morphology and expression levels of EMT markers. TGF‐β1 is found to bind to AuNPs through S–Au bonds by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is employed to analyze the conformational changes of TGF‐β1 on the surface of AuNPs. The results indicate that TGF‐β1 undergoes significant conformational changes at both secondary and tertiary structural levels after conjugation to the AuNP surface, which results in the deactivation of TGF‐β1 protein. An in vivo experiment also shows that addition of AuNPs attenuates the growth of TGF‐β1‐secreting murine bladder tumor 2 cells in syngeneic C3H/HeN mice, but not in immunocompromised NOD‐SCID mice, and this is associated with an increase in the number of tumor‐infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes and a decrease in the number of intrasplenic Foxp3(+) lymphocytes. The findings demonstrate that AuNPs may be a promising agent for modulating tumor immunity through inhibiting immunosuppressive TGF‐β1 signaling.
Evaluation of Sulfur Addition to the High Basicity Slag on the Sulfur, Aluminum, and Cleanliness of High Sulfur Al‐Killed Molten Steel
Authors: Jiang Fang , Cheng Guoguang , Qian Guoyu , Xie You , Rui Qixuan , Yang Liang 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIn the present work, the influence of sulfur addition to the high basicity slag on the Al‐killed molten steel with high sulfur content was investigated by using a vacuum induction furnace at 1873 K in MgO crucibles. CaO–SiO2–Al2O3–MgO–CaS slags were used to study the effect of high basicity slags with different CaS contents on sulfur loss, aluminum loss, and total oxygen content in the molten steel. It is shown that the sulfur content in the molten steel decreased with the time, and the addition of CaS into the slag can reduce the sulfur loss in the molten steel. Moreover, there was a decreasing tendency of the aluminum content in the molten steel with the time, and the addition of CaS into the slag can reduce the aluminum loss in the molten steel. Total oxygen content in the molten steel first increased and then decreased with the time when no CaS was added into the slag. However, it decreased monotonically with the time when the addition of CaS was made into the slag.
Equilibrium Modeling of (Nb, Ti, V)(C, N) Precipitation in Austenite of Microalloyed Steels
Authors: Xu Yaowen , Tang Di , Song Yong 
Published: January 2013

AbstractA theoretical model was proposed to predict complex equilibrium precipitation in Nb–Ti–V bearing microalloyed steel. It is assumed that the complex precipitate with B1 type consists of six kinds of binary compound, namely, NbC, NbN, TiC, TiN, VC, and VN. The composition of multicomponent precipitates and solute concentration in the matrix can be computed by the developed model which is based on the solubility product. The equilibrium volume fraction of the second phase particles at a given temperature can also be predicted easily. Comparison with other approaches in previous research was made. Good match demonstrated the model's validation and reliability.
Does the Genetic Code Have A Eukaryotic Origin?
Authors: Zhang Zhang , Yu Jun 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
In the RNA world, RNA is assumed to be the dominant macromolecule performing most, if not all, core “house-keeping” functions. The ribo-cell hypothesis suggests that the genetic code and the translation machinery may both be born of the RNA world, and the introduction of DNA to ribo-cells may take over the informational role of RNA gradually, such as a mature set of genetic code and mechanism enabling stable inheritance of sequence and its variation. In this context, we modeled the genetic code in two content variables—GC and purine contents—of protein-coding sequences and measured the purine content sensitivities for each codon when the sensitivity (% usage) is plotted as a function of GC content variation. The analysis leads to a new pattern—the symmetric pattern—where the sensitivity of purine content variation shows diagonally symmetry in the codon table more significantly in the two GC content invariable quarters in addition to the two existing patterns where the table is divided into either four GC content sensitivity quarters or two amino acid diversity halves. The most insensitive codon sets are GUN (valine) and CAN (CAR for asparagine and CAY for aspartic acid) and the most biased amino acid is valine (always over-estimated) followed by alanine (always under-estimated). The unique position of valine and its codons suggests its key roles in the final recruitment of the complete codon set of the canonical table. The distinct choice may only be attributable to sequence signatures or signals of splice sites for spliceosomal introns shared by all extant eukaryotes.