bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low Dose Oxidative Stress Induces Mitochondrial Damage in Hair Cells
Authors: Baker Kim , Staecker Hinrich 
Published: October 2012

AbstractOxidative stress has been implicated as a cause of hair cell damage after ischemia reperfusion injury, noise trauma, and ototoxic injury. Oxidative stress can induce both apoptosis or necrosis depending on the degree of exposure. To study how reactive oxygen species (ROS) interacts with hair cells, we have developed an in vitro model of oxidative stress using organ of Corti cultures exposed to physiologically relevant concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Treatment of organ of Corti cultures with low concentrations of H2O2 results in loss of outer hair cells in the basal turn of the explant. Higher concentrations of peroxide result in more extensive outer hair cell injury as well as loss of inner hair cells. Early outer hair cell death appears to occur though apoptosis as demonstrated by staining of activated caspase. The effect of oxidative stress on mitochondrial function is a key determinant of degree of damage. Oxidative stress results in reduction of the mitochondrial membrane potential and reduction of mitochondrial produced antioxidants. Low doses of oxidative stress induce changes in mitochondrial gene expression and induce mitochondrial DNA deletions. Recurrent oxidative stress or inhibition of mitochondrial function significantly enhanced hair cell death. This tissue culture model of oxidative hair cell injury maintains a pattern of injury similar to what is observed in vivo after oxidative injury and can be used to study the effects of ROS on hair cells over the time period of the culture. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Historical Aspects of Inner Ear Anatomy and Biology that Underlie the Design of Hearing and Balance Prosthetic Devices
Authors: Van De Water Thomas R. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThis review presents some of the major historical events that advanced the body of knowledge of the anatomy of the inner ear and its sensory receptors as well as the biology of these receptors that underlies the sensory functions of hearing and balance. This knowledge base of the inner ear's structure/function has been an essential factor for the design and construction of prosthetic devices to aid patients with deficits in their senses of hearing and balance. Prosthetic devices are now available for severely hearing impaired and deaf patients to restore hearing and are known as cochlear implants and auditory brain stem implants. A prosthetic device for patients with balance disorders is being perfected and is in an animal model testing phase with another prosthetic device for controlling intractable dizziness in Meniere's patients currently being evaluated in clinical testing. None of this would have been possible without the pioneering studies and discoveries of the investigators mentioned in this review and with the work of many other talented investigators to numerous to be covered in this review. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synergistic Effect of a Carbon Black Supported PtAg Non‐Alloy Bimetal Nanocatalyst for CO Preferential Oxidation in Excess Hydrogen
Authors: Chen Limin , Ma Ding , Zhang Zhen , Guo Yuanyuan , Ye Daiqi , Huang Bichun 
Published: October 2012

AbstractCarbon black (CB) supported PtAg non‐alloy bimetal catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation and evaluated for CO preferential oxidation in excess H2 (PROX). PtAg/CB catalysts exhibited an evident synergistic effect. The catalyst support selection is crucial to the synergistic effect. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning TEM energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (STEM‐EDX) characterization indicates no alloy was formed over the PtAg/CB catalyst after activation in H2 at 500 °C for 2 h. However, temperature‐programmed reduction (TPR) and XRD data evidenced strong interactions between platinum and silver, as a result of their simultaneous reduction and high temperature activation. The PtAg interactions result in high catalytic performance and the synergistic effects. This is another example of model catalyst research translating to real world catalysis. PtAg non‐alloy catalysts may also be effective in eliminating or alleviating catalyst poisoning by CO‐like intermediates in direct liquid fuel cells.
Immobilization of two (R)‐Amine Transaminases on an Optimized Chitosan Support for the Enzymatic Synthesis of Optically Pure Amines
Authors: Mallin Hendrik , Menyes Ulf , Vorhaben Torge , Höhne Matthias , Bornscheuer Uwe T. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractTwo (R)‐selective amine transaminases from Gibberella zeae (GibZea) and from Neosartorya fischeri (NeoFis) were immobilized on chitosan as a carrier to improve their application in the biocatalytic synthesis of chiral (R)‐amines. An (S)‐selective enzyme from Vibrio fluvialis (VfTA) was used for comparison. After improving the immobilization conditions, all enzymes could be efficiently immobilized. Additionally, the thermal stability of GibZea and NeoFis could be improved and also a slight shift of the pH optimum was observed for GibZea. All enzymes showed good activity in the conversion of α‐methylbenzylamine. In the asymmetric synthesis of (R)‐2‐aminohexane from the corresponding ketone, a 13.4‐fold higher conversion (>99 %) was found for the immobilized GibZea compared to the free enzyme. Hence, the covalent binding with glutaraldehyde of these enzymes on chitosan beads resulted in a significant stabilization of the amine transaminases investigated.
Effect of Operating Conditions and Powder Properties on Pneumatic Conveying Characteristics of a Top Discharge Blow Tank
Authors: Xu G. , Chen X. , Liang C. , Xu P. , Cai J. , Zhao C. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe effects of fluidizing and pressurizing gas flow rates on pneumatic conveying characteristics such as powder mass flow rate, solid‐gas ratio, and voidage in a top discharge blow tank pneumatic conveying system are evaluated. Pulverized coal and glass beads were used to investigate the effect of powder properties on conveying performance. The results indicate that as the fluidizing gas flow rate increases, the powder mass flow rate and the solid‐gas ratio increase at first and then decline. As the pressurizing gas flow rate increases, the powder mass flow rate increases gradually, while the solid‐gas ratio increases at first and then declines. Since the voidage values of all experiments are below 0.95, it can be inferred that the top discharge blow tank pneumatic conveying system is able to achieve dense‐phase conveying.
Numerical Evaluation of Flow Fields and Stresses Acting on Agglomerates Dispersed in High‐Pressure Microsystems
Authors: Beinert S. , Gothsch T. , Kwade A. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractDealing with calculated three‐dimensional flow fields of microchannels, investigations about straight, orifice, z‐ and y‐channels were performed. Computational fluid dynamics was used to gain the flow fields that were the basis of stationary particle tracking performed with more then 5000 seeding points. With the particle tracking, quantification and thus characterization of the acting stresses was performed. The acting stresses (tensile, shear, turbulent and compressive stress) were subsequently used for a comparison with previously conducted dispersion experiments. The dispersion of aluminum oxide agglomerates served as model system. Distributions of stresses and particle sizes could then be compared. As expected, the different stress distributions differ in broadness and level. Although the agreement between experiments and simulations is sufficient, it is still not possible to identify the predominant stress. The microchannels offering the better dispersion results provide higher stresses.
Process Study of the Formation of Biodegradable Polymer Microspheres for Tissue Engineering
Authors: Griffini G. , Levi M. , Turri S. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractA series of polymer microspheres was prepared via solvent evaporation by dispersing dichloromethane solutions of polylactic‐co‐glycolic acid (PLGA) in water. The dimensions of the final dry particles were measured by laser diffraction and correlated to the main fluid‐dynamic parameters of the dispersion process, namely viscosity ratio, volume fraction of dispersed phase, intensity of stirring, and Weber number (We). Data analysis indicated that the system under study can be quantitatively well described by empirical models present in the literature and concerning the dispersion of liquid‐liquid immiscible systems. The PLGA microspheres obtained in this way may be employed for fabrication of biodegradable scaffolds for tissue engineering.
Thermo‐Responsive Polyethersulfone Composite Membranes Blended with Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) Nanogels
Authors: Wang G. , Xie R. , Ju X.‐J. , Chu L.‐Y. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThermo‐responsive composite polyethersulfone (PES) membranes blended with monodisperse poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) nanogels were prepared from blends of PES solution and PNIPAM nanogels by phase inversion. The monodisperse and spherical PNIPAM thermo‐responsive nanogels were synthesized by precipitation polymerization. The blended PNIPAM nanogels did not affect the formation of the finger‐like pore structure of the PES membrane but resulted in microporous structures. The water flux across the composite membrane at temperatures above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAM was much higher than that below the LCST because of thermo‐responsive shrinking/swelling of the PNIPAM nanogels, and the thermo‐responsive permeation characteristics were affected by the content of blended PNIPAM nanogels. The thermo‐responsive permeation performance of the composite membranes was reversible and reproducible.
Metathesis of Ionic Liquids: Continuous Ion Exchange by Donnan Dialysis
Authors: Keil Philipp , Schwiertz Manuel , König Axel 
Published: October 2012

AbstractIonic liquids (IL) are salts that have extraordinary low melting points below 100 °C. While only a very limited number of possible IL can be synthesized directly, the vast majority is prepared via the synthesis of a precursor IL with the desired cation and a subsequent anion exchange. This paper presents the continuous anion exchange by Donnan dialysis in aqueous solution with anion exchange membranes. The retention of the anion exchange membranes used in this work for inorganic and IL cations was found to be R > 99 %. The average integral transport coefficients were determined for the exchange of chloride/acetate, chloride/hydroxide and bromide/hydroxide for various IL and classical salts. The values of the integral average transport coefficients were found to be independent of the investigated counterions. Process modeling was applied to optimize the flow conditions to reach an anion exchange > 98 %. Ultrapure hydroxide solutions and acetates of common classes of IL cations were prepared with a conversion of the reactant anions of > 99 % and cationic impurity contents of < 1 %.
Synthesis and Insertion Chemistry of Mixed Tether Uranium Metallocene Complexes
Authors: Siladke Nathan A. , LeDuc Jennifer , Ziller Joseph W. , Evans William J. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe synthesis of mixed tethered alkyl uranium metallocenes has been investigated by examining the reactivity of the bis(tethered alkyl) metallocene [(η5‐C5Me4SiMe2CH2‐κC)2U] (1) with substrates that react with only one of the UC linkages. The effect of these mixed tether coordination environments on the reactivity of the remaining UC bond has been studied by using CO insertion chemistry. One equivalent of azidoadamantane (AdN3) reacts with 1 to yield the mixed tethered alkyl triazenido complex [(η5‐C5Me4SiMe2CH2‐κC)U(η5‐C5Me4SiMe2‐CH2NNN‐Ad‐κ2N1,3)]. Similarly, a single equivalent of CS2 reacts with 1 to form the mixed tethered alkyl dithiocarboxylate complex [(η5‐C5Me4SiMe2CH2‐κC)U(η5‐C5Me4SiMe2‐ CH2C(S)2‐κ2S,S′)], a reaction that constitutes the first example of CS2 insertion into a U4+C bond. Complex 1 reacts with one equivalent of pyridine N‐oxide by CH bond activation of the pyridine ring to form a mixed tethered alkyl cyclometalated pyridine N‐oxide complex [(η5‐C5Me4SiMe2CH2‐κC)(η5‐C5Me4SiMe3)U(C6H4NO‐κ2C,O)]. The remaining (η5‐C5Me4SiMe2CH2‐κC)2− ligand in each of these mixed tethered species show reactivity towards CO and tethered enolate ligands form by insertion. Subsequent rearrangement have been identified in [(η5‐C5Me4SiMe3)U(C5H4NO‐κ2C,O)(η5‐C5Me4SiMe2C(CH2)O‐κO)] and [(η5‐C5Me4SiMe2CH2NNN‐Ad‐κ2N1,3)U(η5‐C5Me4SiMe2C(CH2)O‐κO)].
Effect of Oxime Ether Incorporation in Acyl Indole Derivatives on PPAR Subtype Selectivity
Authors: Le Naour Morgan , Leclerc Veronique , Farce Amaury , Caignard Daniel‐Henri , Hennuyer Nathalie , Staels Bart , Audinot‐Bouchez Valérie , Boutin Jean‐Albert , Lonchampt Michel , Dacquet Catherine , Ktorza Alain , Berthelot Pascal , Lebegue Nicolas 
Published: October 2012

AbstractCompounds that simultaneously activate peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) subtypes α and γ have the potential to effectively treat dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a single pharmaceutically active molecule. The frequently observed side effects of selective PPARγ agonists, such as edema and weight gain, were expected to be overcome by using additive PPARα activity, leading to dual PPARα/γ agonists with balanced activity for both subtypes. Herein we report the discovery, synthesis, and optimization of a new series of α‐ethoxyphenylpropionic acid bearing 5‐ or 6‐substituted indoles. The incorporation of oxime ethers on the carbonyl portion of the benzoyl group can bring the PPARα/γ potency ratio equal to or slightly greater than one, as is the case for compounds 20 c and 21 a. Compound 20 c shows high efficacy in an ob/ob mouse model of T2D and dyslipidemia, similar to that of rosiglitazone and tesaglitazar, but with a significant increase in body weight gain. In contrast, compound 21 a, less potent as a dual PPARα/γ activator than 20 c, showed an interesting pharmacological profile, as it elicits a decrease in body weight relative to reference compounds.
Molecular Simulations of Primary Alkanolamines Using an Extendable Force Field
Authors: Simond Mickaël R. , Ballerat‐Busserolles Karine , Coxam Jean‐Yves , Pádua Agílio A. H. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractA classical force field is proposed for the molecular simulation of primary alkanolamines containing a NH2CCOH backbone. A method is devised to take into account the polar (H‐bonding) environment of the alkanolamines by calculating electrostatic charges in the presence of explicit solvent molecules. The force field does not use a universal set of charges, but is rather constructed by following a general method for obtaining specific charges for the different alkanolamines. The model is parameterized on the two simplest primary alkanolamines and then validated by calculating thermodynamic properties of five other molecules. Experimental liquid densities and enthalpies of vaporization are also reported in order to complete existing literature data. The predicted ability of the force field is evaluated by comparing the simulation results with experimental densities and enthalpies of vaporization. Densities are predicted with an uncertainty of 1.5 % and enthalpies of vaporization with an uncertainty of 1 kJ mol−1. A decomposition of the interaction energy into electrostatic and repulsive‐dispersive interactions and an analysis of hydrogen‐bond statistics lead to a complex picture. Some terms of these interactions are related to the molecular structure in a clear way, others are not. The results provide insights into the structure–property relations that contribute to a better description of the thermodynamic properties of alkanolamines.
Supramolecular Isomerism of One‐Dimensional Copper(II) Phosphonate and Its Influence on the Magnetic Properties
Authors: Huang Jian , Liu Ping‐Ying , Zhu Hui , Bao Song‐Song , Zheng Li‐Min , Ma Jing 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe reaction of 1‐phosphonomethyl‐2‐benzimidazolpyrrolidine (pmbpH2) and CuCl2 under slightly different conditions has generated three isomers: [Cu(pmbp)]⋅2.5 H2O (1), [Cu(pmbp)]⋅2 H2O (2), and [Cu(pmbp)(H2O)]⋅x H2O (3). All show 1D chain structures in which the adjacent CuII ions are connected purely by the OPO bridges, but the chains are packed in different manners. Dominant antiferromagnetic interactions are observed in these compounds. However, the coupling constant between the metal centers varies significantly for the isomers, which is attributed mainly to the intrachain structural parameters, such as the intrachain Cu⋅⋅⋅Cu distance and the torsion angles over the phosphonate bridge. DFT calculations have been conducted to understand the magnetostructural relationship.
Organic Ionic Plastic Crystals and Low Viscosity Ionic Liquids Based on the Dicyano(nitroso)methanide Anion
Authors: Janikowski Judith , Razali Mohd R. , Batten Stuart R. , MacFarlane Douglas R. , Pringle Jennifer M. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractA new family of organic ionic materials of the dicyano(nitroso)methanide anion is reported. Six of the compounds are room‐temperature ionic liquids with low viscosities, which is a physical property highly desired for many synthetic and electrochemical applications. In addition, use of dimethylpyrrolidinium and tetramethylammonium cations yield the first reported dicyano(nitroso)methanide organic ionic plastic crystals, which have an advantageously wide plastic phase region. The salts also exhibit good conductivities and thermal stabilities thus making them suitable as liquid or solid‐state electrolytes for a range of electrochemical devices.
Political dialogue workshops: Deepening the peace process in Northern Ireland
Authors: Corry Geoffrey 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBetween 1994 and 2007, the author facilitated over fifty residential three‐day political dialogue workshops at the Glencree Centre for Reconciliation outside Dublin during the negotiation phase of the Northern Ireland peace process. This article describes the structure and methodology of the workshops at second track level and how politicians from all the political parties in Ireland and Britain arrived at new intergroup understandings and forged new political relationships. It identifies four layers of the interactive dialogue space and the role of the facilitator in shaping the dialogue over multiple encounters.
Microfocused X‐ray Study on Precipitate Formation in the Separator Region of Nonaqueous Li–O2 Batteries
Authors: Shui Jiang‐Lan , Okasinski John S. , Zhao Dan , Almer Jonathan D. , Liu Di‐Jia 
Published: October 2012

AbstractUsing a microfocused synchrotron X‐ray diffraction (μ‐XRD) method, we systematically investigated the distributions of insoluble lithium precipitates, which formed through electrolyte decomposition, separately in all three regions (cathode, separator, and anode) of failed batteries with a spatial resolution of 20 μm. We found unexpectedly that there was a significantly higher concentration (almost twice as much) of precipitates in the separator than in the cathode. SEM revealed that the precipitates grew on the separator fiber surface, ultimately obstructing the pores serving as the ion‐transport channel. A “refurbished” battery, which was composed of a spent separator from a failed battery, showed a much higher overpotential and shorter cycle life than that found in a new battery.
Switch‐and‐examine combining with different new switch statistics for diversity over Rayleigh fading channels
Authors: Chau Yawgeng A. , Chen Yao‐Hua 
Published: October 2012

SUMMARYThree schemes of multibranch switch‐and‐examine combining (MSEC) with switch statistics different from the signal‐to‐noise ratio used in the traditional MSEC are analyzed. For each diversity branch, with its fading factor a and low‐passed received signal r, the switch statistics for the three MSEC schemes considered in the paper are | r | , | ar | , and a linear combination of a and | r | , respectively. To illustrate the performances of the MSEC schemes, the average BER of each MSEC scheme with BPSK signaling is evaluated for independent and identically distributed Rayleigh fading channels. For performance optimization, the optimal switch thresholds of the MSEC schemes are obtained. Numerical results based on the analysis and simulations are presented for performance illustrations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Body dysmorphic disorder and nonweight‐related body image concerns in individuals with eating disorders
Authors: Kollei Ines , Schieber Katharina , de Zwaan Martina , Svitak Michael , Martin Alexandra 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjective:Research on the prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) in individuals with eating disorders (EDs) is scarce. Nonweight‐related appearance concerns, which can be considered as variants of BDD concerns, have also rarely been examined in EDs. This study therefore investigates BDD prevalence and nonweight‐related appearance concerns in EDs.Method:One hundred individuals with EDs (49 inpatients with anorexia nervosa, 51 inpatients with bulimia nervosa) completed structured diagnostic interviews and self‐report questionnaires.Results:Twelve individuals with EDs (12.0%) suffered from comorbid BDD, with their body dysmorphic concerns being unrelated to weight and shape. BDD lifetime‐prevalence was 15.0%. There was a high prevalence of dissatisfaction with nonweight‐related body features such as skin, hair, teeth, nose, and height (20.8 to 53.5%).Discussion:Findings indicate that BDD is a frequent comorbid disorder in individuals with EDs. Furthermore, along with weight and body shape, nonweight‐related appearance concerns are also common in individuals with EDs. © 2012 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2013)
Biogeographic models of gene flow in two waterfowl of the Australo‐Papuan tropics
Authors: Roshier David A. , Heinsohn Robert , Adcock Gregory J. , Beerli Peter , Joseph Leo 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThere are many large, easy‐to‐observe anseriform birds (ducks, geese, and swans) in northern Australia and New Guinea and they often gather in large numbers. Yet, the structure of their populations and their regional movements are poorly understood. Lack of understanding of population structure limits our capacity to understand source‐sink dynamics relevant to their conservation or assess risks associated with avian‐borne pathogens, in particular, avian influenza for which waterfowl are the main reservoir species. We set out to assess present‐day genetic connectivity between populations of two widely distributed waterfowl in the Australo‐Papuan tropics, magpie goose Anseranas semipalmata (Latham, 1798) and wandering whistling‐duck Dendrocygna arcuata (Horsfield, 1824). Microsatellite data were obtained from 237 magpie geese and 64 wandering whistling‐duck. Samples were collected across northern Australia, and at one site each in New Guinea and Timor Leste. In the wandering whistling‐duck, genetic diversity was significantly apportioned by region and sampling location. For this species, the best model of population structure was New Guinea as the source population for all other populations. One remarkable result for this species was genetic separation of two flocks sampled contemporaneously on Cape York Peninsula only a few kilometers apart. In contrast, evidence for population structure was much weaker in the magpie goose, and Cape York as the source population provided the best fit to the observed structure. The fine scale genetic structure observed in wandering whistling‐duck and magpie goose is consistent with earlier suggestions that the west‐coast of Cape York Peninsula is a flyway for Australo‐Papuan anseriforms between Australia and New Guinea across Torres Strait.