bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Production of glycerol monolaurate‐enriched monoacylglycerols by lipase‐catalyzed glycerolysis from coconut oil
Authors: Zha Baoping , Chen Zhongwei , Wang Li , Wang Ren , Chen Zhengxing , Zheng Lianhe 
Published: December 2013

In order to study the potential of producing glycerol monolaurate (GML) under a mild condition, enzymatic catalyzed glycerolysis in microemulsion system and molecular distillation were used to produce glycerol monolaurate‐enriched MAGs from coconut oil. For the process of glycerolysis, the catalytic abilities of three lipases were compared, and the reaction conditions were studied. Moreover, evaporator temperatures of two‐step molecular distillations were optimized. The results showed that the suitable lipase was Novozym 435, and the optimum glycerolysis parameters were molar ratio of coconut oil to glycerol 1:4; the concentrations of Novozym 435 and sodium (bis‐2‐ethyl‐hexyl) sulfosuccinate 8 and 16%, respectively; and the reaction temperature 50°C. Under these conditions, with a 240 min reaction time, glycerides which contained 62.5% MAGs, 30.4% DAGs, and 5.8% TAGs were obtained. The content of GML was 29.3% and the acid value (AV) was 8.0 mg KOH/g. Then, by two‐step molecular distillations conducted at 90 and 120°C (0.5–1.0 Pa), the content of GML and MAGs were efficiently increased to 60.0 and 97.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, the content of DAGs and the AV were decreased to 2.0% and 0.02 mg KOH/g.Practical applications: Glycerol monolaurate (GML), a surfactant, has been widely used as emulsifier and preservative in the food industry. However, the traditional production of GML by chemical esterification under high temperature is complicated and energetically costly. The proposed method provideds mild conditions to produce GML. For the first time the GML produced from enzymatic glycerolysis of coconut oil and its concentration by molecular distillation were investigated.
Iodine‐Promoted Oxidative Conversion of o‐Vinyl Diaryl Ketones into o‐Acetyl Diaryl Ketones, Synthesis of 1‐Methyl‐4‐arylphthalazines as Analogues of Podophyllotoxin
Authors: Harikrishna Kommidi , Mukkamala Ramesh , Hinkelmann Bettina , Sasse Florenz , Aidhen Indrapal Singh 
Published: December 2013

AbstractA new method is described for the metal‐free oxidation of o‐vinyl diaryl ketones in the presence of molecular iodine or N‐iodosuccinimide to give o‐acetyl diaryl ketones. This transformation involves the initial formation of an iodohydrin, and the o‐carbonyl group of the iodohydrin participates in a subsequent rearrangement to give the o‐acetyl diaryl ketone. The presence and participation of ortho‐carbonyl group is necessary for successful conversion. The envisaged 1‐methyl‐4‐arylphthalazines were synthesized from these o‐acetyl diaryl ketones, and their antiproliferative activity on mammalian cell lines was studied.
Fabrication of Fully‐Spray‐Processed Organic Photovoltaic Modules by using an Automated Process in Air
Authors: La Notte Luca , Mineo Daniel , Polino Giuseppina , Susanna Gianpaolo , Brunetti Francesca , Brown Thomas M. , Di Carlo Aldo , Reale Andrea 
Published: December 2013

AbstractIn organic photovoltaics, large‐area‐compatible and solution‐based processes are the best candidates for achieving high throughput at low cost. Among these, spray coating is a well‐established technique in the industry that can be successfully applied to polymer solar cells (PSCs). In this study we report the demonstration of an automated spray process, completely performed in air, to fabricate the first fully spray‐coated modules on glass/transparent‐conducting‐oxide (TCO) substrates. For this purpose we started with optical and electrical characterization of single layers (TiO2, P3HT:PCBM, PEDOT‐CPP, and PEDOT‐PH1000), to obtain films with the desired properties. Then, photovoltaic cells and modules were fabricated by increasing the number of sprayed layers (1‐layer, 2‐layers, and fully sprayed devices completely free from evaporation processes). Good reproducibility and encouraging electrical performances were obtained. In particular, the 1‐layer, 2‐layer, and full modules (active area=6 cm2) exhibited conversion efficiencies of 1.8 %, 1.3 %, and 0.9 %, respectively. Therefore, the feasibility of a scalable and reliable process for spraying all layers of a semitransparent PSC module were demonstrated here with the potential of being applicable to plastic substrates by the introduction of a low‐temperature‐processed layer in place of TiO2.
Uncertainty Analysis of Photovoltaic Power Measurements using Solar Simulators
Authors: Chandel Rahul 
Published: December 2013

AbstractSolar simulators are the instruments that are used to measure the electrical characteristics of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules. The PV characteristics are measured at standard test conditions (STC), which are achieved by maintaining an irradiance level of 1000 W m−2, 25 °C temperature, and AM1.5G irradiance spectrum. However, in case of a variation in any of these parameters there will be a deviation in the measured electrical characteristics of the test specimen from standard values. The uncertainties in calibration and measurement system of the simulator can also have significant impacts on power measurements. In this study, an estimation of the uncertainty in the measurements of current, voltage, and power is done by using a polycrystalline silicon PV module and a class A pulsed‐type solar simulator. The results are compared with those obtained from other studies of similar nature to assess the accuracy of measurements. The findings show that if the maximum possible uncertainties are considered for a typical class A simulator, the power measurements can have a variation up to ±3.7 % from the true value for a 68 % confidence level and up to ±9.6 % for a 99 % confidence level.
Immunolocalization of specific beta‐proteins in pad lamellae of the digits in the lizard Anolis carolinensis suggests that cysteine‐rich beta‐proteins provides flexibility
Authors: Alibardi Lorenzo 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTKnowledge of beta‐protein (beta‐keratin) sequences in Anolis carolinensis facilitates the localization of specific sites in the skin of this lizard. The epidermal distribution of two new beta‐proteins (beta‐keratins), HgGC8 and HgG13, has been analyzed by Western blotting, light and ultrastructural immunocytochemistry. HgGC8 includes 16 kDa members of the glycine‐cysteine medium‐rich subfamily and is mainly expressed in the beta‐layer of adhesive setae but not in the setae. HgGC8 is absent in other epidermal layers of the setae and is weakly expressed in the beta‐layer of other scales. HgG13 comprises members of 17‐kDa glycine‐rich proteins and is absent in the setae, diffusely distributed in the beta layer of digital scales and barely present in the beta‐layer of other scales. It appears that the specialized glycine‐cysteine medium rich beta‐proteins such as HgGC8 in the beta‐layer, and of HgGC10 and HgGC3 in both alpha‐ and beta‐layers, are key proteins in the formation of the flexible epidermal layers involved in the function of these modified scales in adaptation to contact and adhesion on surfaces. J. Morphol. 275:504–513, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Decrease in horn size and increase in age of trophy sheep in Alberta over 37 years
Authors: Festa‐Bianchet Marco , Pelletier Fanie , Jorgenson Jon T. , Feder Chiarastella , Hubbs Anne 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTLong‐term data (1974–2011) from harvested bighorn rams (Ovis canadensis) in Alberta, Canada, suggested a reduction in horn size and in the proportion of trophy rams in the provincial population over time. Age at harvest increased over time, suggesting slower horn growth. Rams that experienced favorable environmental conditions early in life had rapid horn growth and were harvested at a younger age than rams with slower horn growth. Guided nonresident hunters did not harvest larger rams than residents, suggesting that few large rams were available. Resident hunter success declined in recent years. Despite an apparently stable population, successive cohorts produced a decreasing harvest of trophy rams. We suggest that unrestricted harvest based on a threshold horn size led to a decline in the availability of trophy rams. That decline is partly an inevitable consequence of selective hunting that removes larger rams. Although our analysis does not establish that evolution of smaller horns caused the observed decline in both horn size and harvest of trophy rams, we suggest that intensive trophy hunting may have artificially selected for a decrease in horn growth rate. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Development of a preliminary pediatric tracheal growth model from magnetic resonance images
Authors: Amendola Richard L. , Reinhardt Joseph M. , Zimmerman M. Bridget , Sato Yutaka , Diggelmann Henry R. , Kacmarynski Deborah S. F. 
Published: December 2013

Objectives/HypothesisTo develop a growth model of the minimum cross‐sectional area of the normal pediatric trachea with measurements from magnetic resonance images (MRIs) to supplement the clinical criteria used to determine if a child with tracheal stenosis needs surgery.Study DesignRetrospective imaging review.MethodsA total of 81 patients were imaged for a variety of clinical reasons and declared to have normal tracheas fully visible in their T1 magnetic resonance image. Regression analysis was used to identify any contribution that age, gender, and z scores for height and weight have in predicting the minimum cross‐sectional area of the trachea.ResultsThe best‐fit model for minimum cross‐sectional area is: Area = −0.00451*age4 + 0.177*age3− 2.05*age2 + 12.6*age + 8.02 (area in mm2 and age in years). Gender and z scores for height and weight did not provide any additional explanation of variance in tracheal size.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates the potential to create a growth model of the normal trachea based on cross‐sectional area of the trachea using MRIs. Even with the relatively small number of patients used to build it, the model has demonstrated some ability to be used as an objective prediction tool when deciding a treatment path for a patient. With continued development of precise, objective measures to diagnose the severity of the tracheal stenosis, more patients can be given early and accurate prognosis and be treated appropriately.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 124:1947–1951, 2014
Practice and Challenges of Building a Semantic Framework for Chemogenomics Research
Authors: Chen Bin , Wild David J. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractEffective discovery of new drugs for complex diseases demands an integrative analysis of big data aggregated from diverse sources in chemical and biological domains, to help better understand the mechanism of drug actions and to quickly translate discovery to clinical applications. Conventional approaches are confronting critical challenges in the integration of those huge heterogeneous datasets and the rapid transformation from data to knowledge. Semantic technologies aimed at facilitating the building of a common framework that allows data sharing and utilization across applications and domains in the web, have been developed quickly and have been exhibiting a broad impact in life science. Chemogenomics serves as a bridge to connect various chemical and biological data, thus building a semantic framework for chemogenomics research could not only facilitate the development of this field but also advance the intersection among other domains. During the last few years, such framework has been developed and applied in addressing real problems. In the review, we will describe the major techniques needed to build a semantic framework, and will discuss the challenges of having such framework making a broader impact.
Prolonged efficiency of siRNA‐mediated gene silencing in primary cultures of human preadipocytes and adipocytes
Authors: Lee Mi‐Jeong , Pickering R. Taylor , Puri Vishwajeet 
Published: December 2013

ObjectivePrimary human preadipocytes and differentiated adipocytes in culture are valuable cell culture systems to study adipogenesis and adipose function in relation to human adipose biology. To use these systems for mechanistic studies, siRNA‐mediated knockdown of genes for its effectiveness was studied.MethodsMethods were developed to effectively deliver siRNA for gene silencing in primary preadipocytes isolated from human subcutaneous adipose tissue and newly differentiated adipocytes. Expression level of genes and proteins was measured using quantitative RT‐PCR and western blotting. Lipid droplet morphology was observed using microscopy, and glycerol release was quantified as a measure of lipolysis.ResultssiRNA‐mediated knockdown of genes in primary human preadipocytes resulted in prolonged silencing effects, suppressing genes throughout the process of their differentiation. In newly differentiated adipocytes, siRNA‐mediated gene knockdown allowed proteins to stay depleted for at least 5 days. It was possible to re‐express a protein after its siRNA‐mediated depletion. Importantly, siRNA transfected human adipocytes remained metabolically active, responding to β‐adrenergic stimulation to increase lipolysis.ConclusionsOur study describes the methods of gene silencing in primary cultures of human preadipocytes and adipocytes and their prolonged effectiveness.
Synthesis of optimal control in a mathematical model of tumour–immune dynamics
Authors: Yegorov I. , Todorov Y. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryAn optimal control problem for a mathematical model of tumour–immune dynamics under the influence of chemotherapy is considered. The toxicity effect of the chemotherapeutic agent on both tumour and immunocompetent cells is taken into account. A standard linear pharmacokinetic equation for the chemotherapeutic agent is added to the system. The aim is to find an optimal strategy of treatment to minimize the tumour volume while keeping the immune response not lower than a fixed permissible level as far as possible. Sufficient conditions for the existence of not more than one switching and not more than two switchings without singular regimes are obtained. The surfaces in the extended phase space, on which the last switching appears, are constructed analytically.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Utilization patterns of Antihyperuricemic Agents Following Safety Announcement on Allopurinol and Benzbromarone by Taiwan Food and Drug Administration
Authors: Cheng Ching‐Lan , Chao Pi‐Huei , Hsu Jason Chih‐Sheng , Weng Maggie Meng‐Yu , On Angela W.F. , Yang Yea‐Huei Kao 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the utilization of four approved antihyperuricemic agents in Taiwan before and after two safety announcements rescinded an indication for allopurinol and added a warning on benzbromarone‐induced hepatotoxicity in the year 2005.MethodsAn interrupted time series design and segmented regression models were used to examine impacts of the safety announcements on the utilization of allopurinol, benzbromarone, probenecid, or sulfinpyrazone. All outpatient prescriptions of the four antihyperuricemic agents were extracted from a longitudinal cohort dataset with 1 000 000 individuals randomly sampled from the National Health Insurance Research Database. We examined utilization patterns of antihyperuricemic agents before and after the policy intervention (i.e., safety announcements and labeling changes of allopurinol and benzbromarone) in the year 2005.ResultsFollowing the safety announcements, there was a reduction in the number of allopurinol users in the first year of intervention (−95.82 users per 100 000 persons, 95%CI, [−166.84, −24.80]) and a continuous reduction afterward at a rate of −53.17 per 100 000 persons per year. The utilization of benzbromarone grew steadily before 2005 but decreased drastically after the intervention, with a 30.12% reduction in the number of users by the end of year 2008. There was no commensurate change in the number of probenecid or sulfinpyrazone users after the intervention.ConclusionsFurther research is required to evaluate the direct impacts of the safety announcements on clinical outcomes, treatment costs, and patient's quality of life. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complex Microwave Permittivity of Secondary High Explosives
Authors: Higginbotham Duque Amanda L. , Perry William Lee , Anderson‐Cook Christine M. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractWe aim to understand how microwaves interact with high explosives by studying the complex permittivity from 1–18 GHz of HMX, RDX, TNT, TATB, PETN, Octol, Comp B, 95 % RDX/5 % Viton A (PBX‐RDX), PBX 9404, PBXN‐5, PBXN‐7, PBXW‐14, PBX 9501, and PBX 9502. The combination of a resonant cavity perturbation technique for determining the room‐temperature complex dielectric constant at discrete frequencies and a wide band open circuit method (1–18 GHz) provides an accurate, broadband measurement that describes the dielectric properties in the frequency range of interest. While the values of the real and imaginary permittivity components did not vary significantly as a function of frequency, we found the real part of the permittivity to be highly dependent on relatively small changes in the material density. We used dielectric mixing theory, specifically the linear‐law approximation, to compare the predicted values based on the dielectric properties of individual components with those of the resulting formulation measured experimentally for a select number of samples; the prediction agrees well within the observed variability of the experimentally measured values.
Robotic cholecystectomy and resident education: the UC Davis experience
Authors: Nelson Eric C. , Gottlieb Andrea H. , Müller Hans‐Georg , Smith William , Ali Mohamed R. , Vidovszky Tamas J. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractIntroductionThe popularity of robotic surgery highlights the need for strategies to integrate this technique into surgical education. We present 5 year data for robotic cholecystectomy (RC) as a model for training residents.MethodsData were collected on all RC over 66 months. Duration for docking the robot (S2) and performing RC (S3), and surgical outcomes, were recorded. We used a linear mixed effects model to investigate learning curves.ResultsThirty‐eight trainees performed 160 RCs, with most performing more than four. One case was aborted due to haemodynamic instability, and two were converted to open surgery due to adhesions. There were no technical complications. The duration of S2 (mean = 6.2 ± 3.6 min) decreased considerably (p = 0.027). Trainees also demonstrated decrease in duration of S3 (mean = 38.4 ± 15.4 min), indicating improvement in technique (p = 0.008).ConclusionsRC is an effective model for teaching residents. Significant and reproducible improvement can be realized with low risk of adverse outcomes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ring‐Opening Polymerization Reactions of Propylene Oxide Catalyzed by Porphyrin Metal (3+) Complexes of Aluminum, Chromium and Cobalt
Authors: Chatterjee Chandrani , Chisholm Malcolm H. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractIn today's world, a major scientific challenge is preserving the delicate balance between industrial growth and a pollutant free terrestrial environment. Thus, “greener” syntheses of commodity materials, capture and utilization of gaseous industrial by‐products have become research areas of increasing significance. The pioneering work of Inoue showed a potential utilization of CO2, a major petrochemical by‐product, and opened a new field of research. Inoue discovered the (porphyrin)Al(III)X catalyst systems, (X=Cl− or alkoxide) which copolymerize CO2 with epoxides to produce polycarbonates. This catalyst can also copolymerize epoxides and cyclic anhydrides to form polyesters. The current record describes our research aimed towards mechanistic understanding and further developments of (porphyrin)M(III)X catalyst systems. This detailed account shows the influence of the porphyrin ligands (tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP), octaethylporphyrin (OEP), tetrakis‐pentafluorophenylporphyrin (TFPP)), metal centers (Al, Cr, and Co) and Lewis base co‐catalysts on the individual reaction steps and equilibria involved in the copolymerization processes.
Identification of the Phosphorylated Residues in TveIF5A by Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Quintas-Granados Laura Itzel , López-Camarillo César , Armas Jesús Fandiño , Mendoza Hernandez Guillermo , Alvarez-Sánchez María Elizbeth 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
The initiation factor eIF5A in Trichomonas vaginalis (TveIF5A) is previously shown to undergo hypusination, phosphorylation and glycosylation. Three different pI isoforms of TveIF5A have been reported. The most acidic isoform (pI 5.2) corresponds to the precursor TveIF5A, whereas the mature TveIF5A appears to be the most basic isoform (pI 5.5). In addition, the intermediary isoform (pI 5.3) is found only under polyamine-depleted conditions and restored with exogenous putrescine. We propose that differences in PI are due to phosphorylation of the TveIF5A isoforms. Here, we have identified phosphorylation sites using mass spectrometry. The mature TveIF5A contains four phosphorylated residues (S3, T55, T78 and T82). Phosphorylation at S3 and T82 is also identified in the intermediary TveIF5A, while no phosphorylated residues are found in the precursor TveIF5A. It has been demonstrated that eIF5A proteins from plants and yeast are phosphorylated by a casein kinase 2 (CK2). Interestingly, a gene encoding a protein highly similar to CK2 (TvCK2) is found in T. vaginalis, which might be involved in the phosphorylation of TveIF5A in T. vaginalis.
Screening Preeclamptic Cord Plasma for Proteins Associated with Decreased Breast Cancer Susceptibility
Authors: Low Hoi Pang , Tiwari Ashutosh , Janjanam Jagadeesh , Qiu Li , Chang Chien-I , Strohsnitter William C. , Norwitz Errol R. , Tam Sun W. , Evans James E. , Green Karin M. , Paulo Joao A. , Lambe Mats , Hsieh Chung-Cheng 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
Preeclampsia, a complication of pregnancy characterized by hypertension and proteinuria, has been found to reduce the subsequent risk for breast cancer in female offspring. As this protective effect could be due to exposure to preeclampsia-specific proteins during intrauterine life, the proteomic profiles of umbilical cord blood plasma between preeclamptic and normotensive pregnancies were compared. Umbilical cord plasma samples, depleted of 14 abundant proteins, were subjected to proteomic analysis using the quantitative method of nanoACQUITY ultra performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry with elevated energy mode of acquisitionE (NanoUPLC-MSE). Sixty-nine differentially expressed proteins were identified, of which 15 and 6 proteins were only detected in preeclamptic and normotensive pregnancies, respectively. Additionally, expression of 8 proteins (gelsolin, complement C5, keratin type I cytoskeletal 10, pigment epithelium-derived factor, complement factor B, complement component C7, hemoglobin subunit gamma-2 and alpha-fetoprotein) were up-regulated in preeclampsia with a fold change of ⩾2.0 when compared to normotensive pregnancies. The identification of alpha-fetoprotein in preeclamptic umbilical cord blood plasma supported the validity of this screen as alpha-fetoprotein has anti-estrogenic properties and has previously been linked to preeclampsia as well as a reduced breast cancer risk. The findings of this pilot study may provide new insights into the mechanistic link between preeclampsia and potentially reduced breast cancer susceptibility in adult life.