bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monitoring of Trace Elements in Groundwater of Municipal Area at Kushtia and Jhenaidah District of Bangladesh
Authors: Eva Tanjina Nasrin , Nahar Kamrun , Hoda Md. Durul , Sachchu Md. Mazedul Haque , Afrin Sabrina , Lima Miss Nushrat Jahan , Shuvo Md. Touhid Hasan , Alam Md. Ashraful 
Published: July 2024

Groundwater samples from the municipal residential areas of the Pearatola, Kushtia (23.897975° N and 89.123735° E) and the DPHE, Jhenaidah (23.544454° N and 89.164694° E) districts were analyzed for trace elements determination of Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd) and Zinc (Zn) evaluating the health effect of these trace elements is the prime object of this investigation. Fe, Mn, Pb, Cd and Zn in groundwater water were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) on direct flame methods. The examined concentrations of Fe, Mn, Pb, Cd and Zn are respectively 0.740 mg/L, 0.370 mg/L, 0.040 mg/L, 0.0040 mg/L and 0.0570 mg/L (ppm) which were present in the groundwater sample of Kushtia. The absolute concentrations of Fe, Mn, Pb, Cd and Zn are respectively 0.490 mg/L, 0.220 mg/L, 0.030 mg/L, 0.0030 mg/L and 0.0310 mg/L (ppm) which were present in the groundwater sample of Jhenaidah. Fe contamination of examined areas samples in 0.740 ppm and 0.490 ppm of cases exceeded the WHO criteria and 0.30 ppm exceeded BD standards which is a very scary risk factor for human health. The investigated data should be useful and helpful for general public awareness intake of groundwater.
Modeling of creep for multiwall carbon nanotube/epoxy nanocomposite
Authors: Glaskova Tatiana , Aniskevich Klara , Borisova Anna 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe effect of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on creep of epoxy matrix was evaluated on the basis of short‐term creep‐recovery tests performed at different stresses and temperatures. Six different compositions of MWCNT and bisphenol A epoxy resin (0–3.8 wt % of MWCNTs) were investigated. Slight reduction of creep compliance, strain rate, and residual strain were revealed experimentally for nanocomposite comparing to the neat resin. The development of viscoelastic strain for creep stage was described by the use of time–temperature–strain superposition principle with the parameters obtained from the approximation of recovery stage using modified Schapery model. The model accounted for the effect of strain on the viscoelastic strain rate for recovery stage. Its application gave better results for approximation of a series of recovery curves at different temperatures and stresses than of time–stress superposition model. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Social behavior is perturbed in mice after exposure to bisphenol A: a novel assessment employing an IntelliCage
Authors: Ogi Hiroshi , Itoh Kyoko , Fushiki Shinji 
Published: February 2013

AbstractIn order to investigate whether or not prenatal and lactational exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) affects social behavior in mice, pregnant mice were exposed to 500 μg/kg of BPA daily from embryonic day 0 (E0) until postnatal day 21 (P21). The behavior of offspring was monitored at 11–13 and 13–15 weeks of age using an automated behavior assessment system (IntelliCage). Groups of eight mice were tasked with a nose poke, which enabled the mice to open a door to drink bottled water at the corner of their cage. BPA‐exposed females visited the corner without drinking behavior during the light cycle less frequently than control female mice did. BPA‐exposed males stayed at the corner for longer periods of time and showed a significantly stronger bias in the visit with drinking. In addition, the BPA‐exposed males showed a shorter time interval before they visited the corner after preceding animals had visited it, compared with the control males. These findings suggest that prenatal and lactational BPA exposure might affect murine motivational behavior in a social setting differently in males and females.
Efficient Nazarov Cyclization/Wagner–Meerwein Rearrangement Terminated by a CuII‐Promoted Oxidation: Synthesis of 4‐Alkylidene Cyclopentenones
Authors: Lebœuf David , Theiste Eric , Gandon Vincent , Daifuku Stephanie L. , Neidig Michael L. , Frontier Alison J. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe discovery and elucidation of a new Nazarov cyclization/Wagner–Meerwein rearrangement/oxidation sequence is described that constitutes an efficient strategy for the synthesis of 4‐alkylidene cyclopentenones. DFT computations and EPR experiments were conducted to gain further mechanistic insight into the reaction pathways.
The Discovery of Novel Human Androgen Receptor Antagonist Chemotypes Using a Combined Pharmacophore Screening Procedure
Authors: Voet Arnout , Helsen Christine , Zhang Kam Y. J. , Claessens Frank 
Published: February 2013

AbstractUnraveling the mechanisms involved in castration‐ and therapy‐resistant prostate cancer has led to a renewed interest in androgen receptor (AR)‐targeted therapeutics. Anti‐androgens that block the activity of the AR therefore remain a valid therapeutic option. However, they must be more effective than, or display a distinct mechanism of action or binding mode from those of bicalutamide and hydroxyflutamide, which are currently in clinical use. For that reason, the second‐generation anti‐androgen MDV3100 was developed. MDV3100, however, shares its 4‐cyano‐3‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl group with bicalutamide and hydroxyflutamide required for binding to the AR. In this work, we used a combined strategy to find new antagonist structures distinct from the 4‐cyano‐3‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl group to avoid cross‐resistance for these compounds and to find structures without agonist activity on mutant ARs (AR W741C and AR T877A). We found two novel chemotypes with AR‐antagonistic activity (IC50: 3–6 μM) by virtual screening and confirmed their biological activity in an androgen‐responsive reporter assay. The design of our computational approach was validated by the observation of strongly decreased or absence of agonistic activity on the two mutant ARs. Further structural derivatization to optimize the potency of these compounds can render these chemotypes into very promising, alternative AR antagonists for prostate cancer therapy.
Activity and coexpression of Drosophila black with ebony in fly optic lobes reveals putative cooperative tasks in vision that evade electroretinographic detection
Authors: Ziegler Anna B. , Brüsselbach Florian , Hovemann Bernhard T. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractDrosophila mutants black and ebony show pigmentation defects in the adult cuticle, which disclose their cooperative activity in β‐alanyl‐dopamine formation. In visual signal transduction, Ebony conjugates β‐alanine to histamine, forming β‐alanyl‐histamine or carcinine. Mutation of ebony disrupts signal transduction and reveals an electroretinogram (ERG) phenotype. In contrast to the corresponding cuticle phenotype of black and ebony, there is no ERG phenotype observed when black expression is disrupted. This discrepancy calls into question the longstanding assumption of Black and Ebony interaction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Black and Ebony in fly optic lobes. We excluded a presynaptic histamine uptake pathway and confirmed histamine recycling via carcinine formation in glia. β‐Alanine supply for this pathway is independent of enzymatic synthesis by Black and β‐alanine synthase Pyd3. Two versions of Black are expressed in vivo. Black is a specific aspartate decarboxylase with no activity on glutamate. RNA in situ hybridization and anti‐Black antisera localized Black expression in the head. Immunolabeling revealed expression in lamina glia, in large medulla glia, in glia of the ocellar ganglion, and in astrocyte‐like glia below the ocellar ganglion. In these glia types, Black expression is strictly accompanied by Ebony expression. Activity, localization, and strict coexpression with Ebony strongly indicate a specific mode of functional interaction that, however, evades ERG detection. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Randomized Phase I Evaluation of CTP‐499, a Novel Deuterium‐Containing Drug Candidate for Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Braman Virginia , Graham Philip , Cheng Changfu , Turnquist David , Harnett Mark , Sabounjian LuAnn , Shipley James 
Published: February 2013

AbstractTo determine maximum tolerated dose and food effect for CTP‐499, a novel agent being studied for the treatment of diabetic kidney disease. CTP‐499 has demonstrated anti‐inflammatory, anti‐fibrotic and anti‐oxidative activities in vitro as well as anti‐inflammatory and renoprotective effects in a diabetic nephropathy (DN) model. Two studies were performed. Study 1 was a single‐dose escalation study with 600, 1200, 1800, and 2400 mg doses of controlled‐release (CR) CTP‐499 and a 400 mg immediate release dose to aid in the development of prototype formulations of CTP‐499. Study 2 was a food‐effect study. Plasma concentrations of CTP‐499 and its metabolites were measured to determine pharmacokinetic parameters in each study. Safety was assessed to determine tolerability. Doses up to and including 1800 mg were well tolerated. Cmax was either equivalent (CTP‐499) or slightly lower (metabolites) for the fed condition, while overall exposure was equivalent (CTP‐499) or slightly higher (metabolites) for the fed condition. The range of tolerated doses of CTP‐499 and the effects of food on exposure were identified, contributing to selection of the dose for Phase II development.
Development and characterization of a digestion model based on olive oil microemulsions
Authors: Kyriazi Aggeliki , Papadimitriou Vassiliki , Sotiroudis Theodore G. , Xenakis Aristotelis 
Published: February 2013

AbstractOlive oil microemulsions were used as biomimetic model to simulate aspects of the digestion process in the small intestine. Hydrolytic activity of trypsin and alkaline phosphatase in microemulsions in the presence and in the absence of squalene and phenolic acids at pH 8.5 and 37°C was examined. In the case of trypsin kinetic constants were calculated and found Km = 0.080 ± 0.002 mM and Vmax = 3.8 × 10−5 ± 0.06 × 10−5 mM/s. When gallic acid and squalene were added, hydrolytic activity of trypsin was reduced to 77 ± 2% and 69 ± 3%, respectively. In the presence of o‐, m‐, and p‐coumaric acid, protocatechouic acid, and caffeic acid, enzymatic activity was increased up to 142 ± 6%. Hydrolytic activity of alkaline phosphatase was inhibited in the presence of squalene and phenolic acids. To evaluate the size of the dispersed aqueous droplets in the presence and in the absence of enzymes, substrates, and antioxidants, dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements were carried out and diameters in the range of 8.9–13.4 nm were observed. Membrane flexibility and micropolarity were studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Rotational correlation time (τR), order parameter (S), and hyperfine splitting constant (A0) of doxyl stearic acid in the microemulsions were calculated and found 2.06 ns, 0.17, and 14.30 G, respectively. These values were slightly affected in the presence of additives.Practical applications: The main aim of the present study is to enhance our understanding on the digestibility of proteins and lipids in the presence of food antioxidants suggesting an in vitro digestion model for hydrolases based on virgin olive oil microemulsions. The information generated in this study could potentially facilitate the design and development of novel functional food formulations based on food‐grade colloidal delivery systems. Since modification or fortification of different food products focusing on different areas of health concern are of growing interest among the various sectors of food industry, the proposed research results could be of particular interest.
Tandem Reductive Cyclization–Dehydration Approach for the Synthesis of Cryptolepine Hydroiodide and Its Analogues
Authors: Volvoikar Prajesh S. , Parvatkar Prakash T. , Tilve Santosh G. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractA new and convenient synthesis of the indoloquinoline alkaloid cryptolepine hydroiodide is described through a tandem reductive cyclization–dehydration approach. This methodology employs a C–C bond formation through the C‐2 lithiation of a benzenesulfonyl‐protected indole and a C–N bond formation through a nitrene intermediate, which is produced from different organophosphorus reagents, to give a fused tetracyclic compound. The versatility of this method is demonstrated by the syntheses of a series of cryptolepine salts with substituents on the indole as well as the quinoline ring.
A C2‐continuous high‐resolution upwind convection scheme
Authors: Corrêa L. , Lima G.A. B. , Candezano M.A. C. , Braun M.P. S. , Oishi C.M. , Navarro H.A. , Ferreira V.G. 
Published: February 2013

SUMMARYA bounded upwinding scheme for numerical solution of hyperbolic conservation laws and Navier–Stokes equations is presented. The scheme is based on convection boundedness criterion and total variation diminishing stability criteria and developed by employing continuously differentiable functions. The accuracy of the scheme is verified by assessing the error and observed convergence rate on 1‐D benchmark test cases. A comparative study between the new scheme and conventional total variation diminishing/convection boundedness criterion‐based upwind schemes to solve standard nonlinear hyperbolic conservation laws is also accomplished. The scheme is then examined in the simulation of Newtonian and non‐Newtonian fluid flows of increasing complexity; a satisfactory agreement has been observed in terms of the overall behavior. Finally, the scheme is used to study the hydrodynamics of a gas‐solid flow in a bubbling fluidized bed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of varied complexity models simulating recharge at the field scale
Authors: Sorensen J. P. R. , Finch J. W. , Ireson A. M. , Jackson C. R. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractNumerical models are frequently used for the regional quantification of groundwater recharge. However there is a wide range of potential models available that represent the land surface with varying degrees of complexity, but which are rarely tested against observations at the field scale. We compared four models that simulate potential recharge at four intensively monitored sites with different vegetation and soil types in two adjacent catchments. These models were: Penman–Grindley, UN Food and Agricultural Organization, SPAtial Distributed Evaporation and Joint UK Land Environment Simulator. Standardized, unoptimized land surface datasets and pertinent literature were used for parameterization to reflect practice in regional water resource management and planning in the UK. The models were validated against soil moisture observations at all sites, as well as observed transpiration and interception and calculated total evaporation over a year at a woodland site. Soil moisture observations were generally reproduced well, but there were significant differences in how the models apportioned precipitation through the hydrological cycle. This demonstrates that soil moisture data alone are not a good diagnostic for groundwater recharge models. Significant differences in potential recharge were produced by models at both grassland sites, although simulated average annual potential recharge varied by only 15% at the grassland site on permeable soil. At the woodland sites, soil moisture contents were reproduced least accurately, and there were large differences in potential recharge at both woodland sites. This predominantly resulted from varied and inaccurate simulation of evaporation, particularly in the form of interception losses where this was explicitly represented in models. Differences in model structure, such as runoff representation, and parameter selection also influenced all results. Hydrological Processes © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of an Enzyme Mimic Using Self‐Selection
Authors: Gasparini Giulio , Dal Molin Marta , Corrà Stefano , Galzerano Patrizia , Scrimin Paolo , Prins Leonard J. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe development of a serine protease model using a self‐selection protocol is described. The developed system mimics the regeneration step of an enzyme involved in covalent enzyme catalysis. A transition‐state analogue of a transesterification reaction is used to self‐select functional groups able to accelerate ester cleavage. It is shown that the insertion of a tertiary amine substituent flanking the reaction center reinforces transition‐state stabilization by directing the reactive center towards the self‐selected functionality. In addition, the tertiary amine activates a bland (solvent) nucleophile for attack on an ester bond similar to what occurs in a serine protease. A quantitative correspondence is observed between the amplification factors and catalytic activity, illustrating the potential of the dynamic covalent capture strategy to precisely detect and quantify weak noncovalent interactions.
A theoretical analysis and prediction of pore size and pore size distribution in electrospun multilayer nanofibrous materials
Authors: Bagherzadeh Roohollah , Najar Saeed Shaikhzadeh , Latifi Masoud , Tehran Mohammad Amani , Kong Lingxue 
Published: February 2013

AbstractElectrospinning process can fabricate nanomaterials with unique nanostructures for potential biomedical and environmental applications. However, the prediction and, consequently, the control of the porous structure of these materials has been impractical due to the complexity of the electrospinning process. In this research, a theoretical model for characterizing the porous structure of the electrospun nanofibrous network has been developed by combining the stochastic and stereological probability approaches. From consideration of number of fiber‐to‐fiber contacts in an electrospun nanofibrous assembly, geometrical and statistical theory relating morphological and structural parameters of the network to the characteristic dimensions of interfibers pores is provided. It has been shown that these properties are strongly influenced by the fiber diameter, porosity, and thickness of assembly. It is also demonstrated that at a given network porosity, increasing fiber diameter and thickness of the network reduces the characteristic dimensions of pores. It is also discussed that the role of fiber diameter and number of the layer in the assembly is dominant in controlling the pore size distribution of the networks. The theory has been validated experimentally and results compared with the existing theory to predict the pore size distribution of nanofiber mats. It is believed that the presented theory for estimation of pore size distribution is more realistic and useful for further studies of multilayer random nanofibrous assemblies. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Preparation and characterization of novel elastin‐like polypeptide‐collagen composites
Authors: Amruthwar Shruti S. , Puckett Aaron D. , Janorkar Amol V. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractCollagen‐based biomaterials suffer from poor mechanical properties and rapid degradation. Elastin‐like polypeptides (ELPs) possess good biocompatibility and have unique solution properties that allow them to coacervate above a critical temperature. The objective of this research was to prepare a series of freeze dried ELP‐collagen composite scaffolds as a proof of concept. Combination of ELP and collagen has the potential to produce composite structures with varying strengths. Four different composite structures were prepared by varying the ratio of ELP to collagen. Increased ELP content in the scaffolds appears to have reduced the residual water content based on Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Scanning electron microscopy images of ELP‐collagen composites showed a three‐dimensional, open porous structure with the formation of characteristic aggregates of ELP. The mechanical testing experiments showed that the elastic modulus, tensile strength, and toughness of ELP‐collagen scaffolds were significantly greater than neat collagen scaffolds. The improved mechanical properties were attributed to a homogeneous network structure with additional reinforcement coming from the ELP aggregates. Our study confirms that ELP‐collagen composites with superior physical and mechanical properties compared to collagen scaffolds can be produced. Further optimization of design parameters will allow producing ELP‐collagen composites for specific biomedical applications. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Advances in osteoclast biology reveal potential new drug targets and new roles for osteoclasts
Authors: Boyce Brendan F 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Osteoclasts are multinucleated myeloid lineage cells formed in response to macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) by fusion of bone marrow–derived precursors that circulate in the blood and are attracted to sites of bone resorption in response to factors, such as sphingosine-1 phosphate signaling. Major advances in understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating osteoclast functions have been made in the past 20 years, mainly from mouse and human genetic studies. These have revealed that osteoclasts express and respond to proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Some of these cytokines activate NF-κB and nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) signaling to induce osteoclast formation and activity and also regulate communication with neighboring cells through signaling proteins, including ephrins and semaphorins. Osteoclasts also positively and negatively regulate immune responses and osteoblastic bone formation. These advances have led to development of new inhibitors of bone resorption that are in clinical use or in clinical trials; and more should follow, based on these advances. This article reviews current understanding of how bone resorption is regulated both positively and negatively in normal and pathologic states. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Dynamic mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of cast polyurethanes prepared using diol curatives
Authors: Pandya Madhav V. , Deshpande Dinkar D. , Hundiwale Dilip G. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe effect of various diol chain extenders on the thermal, mechanical, electrical and viscoelastic properties of polyurethanes is discussed. Prepolymers were prepared using a polyester (polyethylenepropyleneadipate) and toluene‐2,4‐diisocyanate. Diol chain extenders were of three types in order to investigate structure–property relationships: (a) α,ω‐aliphatic diols; (b) diols with unsaturation present in the chain; and (c) diols with an oxygen atom present in the chain.