bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
M&A due diligence: How to uncover corruption
Authors: Byington J. Ralph , McGee Jo Ann 
Published: December 2011

AbstractCorporate balance sheets in the United States currently show an excess of cash. And to make earnings‐conscious shareholders happy, many corporate managers will funnel that cash into more merger‐and‐acquisition (M&A) activity. But M&A is never without risk, warn the authors of this article. And they caution managers that their M&A due diligence should not overlook the existence of possible corruption and bribery in an acquired company. The authors also include a handy checklist to help corporate managers find possible problems when examining a target company. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Model your way to better business performance
Authors: Miller John A. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractEven the best operational models have no value unless management uses the information for decision making, process improvement, pricing, budgeting, planning, and running the business. To be successful, modeling efforts must focus on what's important to the business, and the modeling must be done at a level that is relevant to growing the business, decision making, improvement efforts, and performance management. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of gridded surface meteorological data for ecological applications and modelling
Authors: Abatzoglou John T. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractLandscape‐scale ecological modelling has been hindered by suitable high‐resolution surface meteorological datasets. To overcome these limitations, desirable spatial attributes of gridded climate data are combined with desirable temporal attributes of regional‐scale reanalysis and daily gauge‐based precipitation to derive a spatially and temporally complete, high‐resolution (4‐km) gridded dataset of surface meteorological variables required in ecological modelling for the contiguous United States from 1979 to 2010. Validation of the resulting gridded surface meteorological data, using an extensive network of automated weather stations across the western United States, showed skill comparable to that derived from interpolation using station observations, suggesting it can serve as suitable surrogate for landscape‐scale ecological modelling across vast unmonitored areas of the United States. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Modulation of Electroosmotic Flow Using Polyelectrolyte Brushes: A Molecular Dynamics Study
Authors: Zhang Zhao , Zuo Chuncheng , Cao Qianqian , Ma Yanhong , Chen Shuqing 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPolyelectrolyte brushes grafted on a pair of parallel nanochannel walls can affect the electroosmotic flow (EOF) significantly. A molecular dynamics simulation method is used to investigate the relationship between charge distribution on polyelectrolyte brushes and EOF parameters such as flux, velocity, and density of particles. The EOF can be modulated by changing the step between two charged beads on the same chain, Sc, and the valence of a bead, Nc. Simulation results indicate that the flux increases as the total number of charges on the brushes increases. The decrease of Sc and Nc can lead to a maximum average velocity in the center region. The influence on density of particles is also analyzed.magnified image
Reaction Monitoring of Glycerol Step‐Growth Polymerization Using ATR‐FTIR Spectroscopy
Authors: Salehpour Somaieh , Dubé Marc A. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe sustainable step‐growth polymerization of glycerol is monitored in‐line and off‐line using an ATR‐FTIR spectroscopic probe. The concentration of hydroxyl groups is monitored to provide real‐time conversion data using a univariate method. Traditional off‐line techniques, i.e., hydroxyl value calculation and water production monitoring, are compared to in‐line and off‐line ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy. Fouling of the probe is observed beyond 42 mol% conversion of hydroxyl groups. No statistically significant differences are found between the conversion data from off‐line/in‐line ATR‐FTIR and two other methods at a 95% confidence level prior to fouling, and this confirms that ATR‐FTIR is a reliable tool for monitoring conversion for production of oligoglycerols from a renewable feedstock.magnified image
Improve the selectively refocused INEPT pulse sequence for detecting phosphomonoesters and phosphodiesters
Authors: Mao Xi‐an 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIn application of the 31P selectively refocused insensitive nuclei enhanced polarization transfer (srINEPT) technique to the detection of phosphomono‐ and diesters in tissues, homonuclear couplings between the CH2O protons and the NCH2 protons seriously attenuate the sensitivity. These couplings can be conventionally removed by two soft 180° pulses in the 1H evolution period which selectively invert the NCH2 magnetizations. However, the srINEPT pulse sequence can be simplified by replacing the pulse train “soft 180°‐hard 180°‐soft 180°” with a single soft 180° pulse that selectively inverts the CH2O magnetizations. Theoretical analysis in this study demonstrates the correctness of this approach in principle. Validation on a milk phantom allowed us to investigate and discuss advantages and disadvantages of the proposed srINEPT with respect to the original srINEPT. Furthermore, comparison of different selective pulses made it possible to demonstrate that the proposed srINEPT experiment is not sensitive to errors in pulse length, offset, and B1 field strength of the selective pulse when ReBurp pulse is used for selective refocusing. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy detection of changes in serine isotopomers reflects changes in mitochondrial redox status
Authors: Johnson C. Bryce , Tikunov Andrey P. , Lee Haakil , Wolak Justyna E. , Pediaditakis Peter , Romney Doug A. , Holmuhamedov Ekhson , Gamcsik Michael P. , Macdonald Jeffrey M. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe glycine cleavage system (GCS), the major pathway of glycine catabolism in liver, is found only in the mitochondria matrix and is regulated by the oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)/reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) ratio. In conjunction with serine hydroxymethyltransferase, glycine forms the 1 and 2 positions of serine, while the 3 position is formed exclusively by GCS. Therefore, we sought to exploit this pathway to show that quantitative measurements of serine isotopomers in liver can be used to monitor the NAD+/NADH ratio using 13C NMR spectroscopy. Rat hepatocytes were treated with modulators of GCS activity followed by addition of 2‐13C‐glycine, and the changes in the proportions of newly synthesized serine isotopomers were compared to controls. Cysteamine, a competitive inhibitor of GCS, prevented formation of mitochondrial 3‐13C‐serine and 2,3‐13C‐serine isotopomers while reducing 2‐13C‐serine by 55%, demonstrating that ca. 20% of glycine‐derived serine is produced in the cytosol. Glucagon, which activates GCS activity, and the mitochondrial uncoupler carbonyl cyanide‐3‐chlorophenylhydrazone both increased serine isotopomers, whereas rotenone, an inhibitor of complex I, had the opposite effect. These results demonstrate that 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy monitoring of the formation of serine isotopomers in isolated rat hepatocytes given 2‐13C‐glycine reflects the changes of mitochondrial redox status. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Imaging with positive T1‐contrast using superstimulated echoes
Authors: Hennig Jürgen , Il'yasov Kamil A. , Weigel Matthias 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThis article presents the basic principles of the superstimulated echo mechanism and shows preliminary results of its application to T1‐weighted imaging with positive T1‐contrast. A superstimulated echo scheme uses a preparation of square‐wave modulated, periodically inverted z‐magnetization, which after signal evolution during the mixing time TM is fully converted into transverse magnetization. This avoids the 50% signal loss of a conventional stimulated echo. Furthermore, its implementation as a preparation module for standard turbo spin echo (TSE) imaging allows producing images with positive T1‐contrast. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of non–length‐dependent small‐fiber sensory neuropathy
Authors: Khan Sara , Zhou Lan 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIntroduction:Non–length‐dependent small‐fiber sensory neuropathy (NLD‐SFSN) is not as well characterized as length‐dependent small‐fiber sensory neuropathy (LD‐SFSN).Methods:Sixty‐three patients with NLD‐SFSN were compared with 175 patients with LD‐SFSN for their demographics and disease associations.Results:Age was younger in those with NLD‐SFSN (45.5 ± 13.1 years) than in those with LD‐SFSN (55.1 ± 11.4 years, P < 0.001). Forty‐six of 63 (73.0%) patients were women in the NLD‐SFSN group, whereas 84 of 175 (48.0%) were women in the LD‐SFSN group (P < 0.001). Disease associations were identified in 26 of 63 (41.3%) patients with NLD‐SFSN, including diabetes or prediabetes in 10 (15.9%), connective tissue diseases in 6 (9.5%), thyroid dysfunction in 4 (6.3%), sarcoidosis in 3 (4.8%), vitamin B12 deficiency in 2 (3.2%), and paraproteinemia in 1 (1.6%). Immune‐mediated conditions were present in 9 of 63 (14.3%) patients with NLD‐SFSN and 6 of 175 (3.4%) patients with LD‐SFSN (P = 0.012).Conclusions:NLD‐SFSN is more common in women, presents at a younger age, and is more likely to be associated with immune‐mediated conditions than LD‐SFSN. Muscle Nerve 45: 86–91, 2012
Central role of lactic acidosis in cancer cell resistance to glucose deprivation‐induced cell death
Authors: Wu Hao , Ding Zonghui , Hu Danqing , Sun Feifei , Dai Chunyan , Xie Jiansheng , Hu Xun 
Published: December 2011

AbstractSolid tumours are dependent on glucose, but are generally glucose‐deprived due to poor vascularization. Nevertheless, cancer cells can generally survive glucose deprivation better than their normal counterparts. Thus, to render cancer cells sensitive to glucose depletion may potentially provide an effective strategy for cancer intervention. We propose that lactic acidosis, a tumour microenvironment factor, may allow cancer cells to develop resistance to glucose deprivation‐induced death, and that disruption of lactic acidosis may resume cancer cells' sensitivity to glucose depletion. Lactic acidosis, lactosis, or acidosis was generated by adding pure lactic acid, sodium lactate, or HCl to the culture medium. Cell death, cell cycle, autophagy, apoptosis, and gene expression profiling of the surviving cancer cells under glucose deprivation with lactic acidosis were determined. Under glucose deprivation without lactic acidosis, 90% of 4T1 cancer cells died within a single day; in a sharp contrast, under lactic acidosis, 90% of 4T1 cells died in a period of 10 days, with viable cells identified even 65 days after glucose was depleted. Upon glucose restoration, surviving cells resumed proliferation. Lactic acidosis also significantly extended survival of other cancer cells under glucose deprivation. G1/G0 arrest, autophagy induction, and apoptosis inhibition were tightly associated with lactic acidosis‐mediated resistance to glucose deprivation. Lactosis alone had no effect on cell survival under glucose deprivation; acidosis alone can prolong cell survival time but is not as potent as lactic acidosis. Thus, the ability of cancer cells to resist glucose deprivation‐induced cell death is conferred, at least in part, by lactic acidosis, and we envision that disrupting the lactic acidosis may resume the sensitivity of cancer cells to glucose deprivation. Copyright © 2012 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Water‐soluble fluorene‐based copolymers incorporated methoxyphenol moieties: Novel polymeric chemodosimeters for hypochlorous acid
Authors: Zhang Wenjun , Liu Lihan , Liu Liang , Qin Jingui , Yang Chuluo 
Published: December 2011

AbstractA series of water‐soluble copolymers, named N‐PFPx (x = 10, 25, and 50), and their model compound 6,6',6'',6'''‐(2,2'‐(2‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxy‐1,4‐phenylene)bis(9H‐fluorene‐9,9,2‐triyl))tetrakis(N,N,N‐trimethylhexan‐1‐aminium) bromide (FMOPF) were synthesized by Suzuki coupling reaction of fluorene derivatives and p‐methoxyphenol. For the polymers with relatively low contents of methoxyphenol (N‐PFP10 and N‐PFP25), the absorption and fluorescence spectra could be mainly ascribed to the polyfluorene, whereas for the polymer N‐PFP50 and the model compound FMOPF, the absorption and fluorescence spectra could be assigned to the fluorene‐alt‐methoxyphenol. All the conjugated polymers (CPs), regardless of the content of methoxyphenol moieties, exhibit good sensitivity to hypochlorite/hypochlorous acid (HClO) because of the superquenching effect of CPs. On the contrary, the absorption changes of the polymers N‐PFPx on the addition of hypochlorite/HClO depend on the content of methoxyphenol moieties. As the content of methoxyphenol moieties increase, the changes of absorption spectra become more intense. Considering the sensitivity and selectivity, the polymer N‐PFP10 and N‐PFP25 have been demonstrated to be good polymeric fluorescent probes to hypochlorite under the aqueous condition. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
The Role of VUV Radiation in the Inactivation of Bacteria with an Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet
Authors: Schneider Simon , Lackmann Jan‐Wilm , Ellerweg Dirk , Denis Benjamin , Narberhaus Franz , Bandow Julia E. , Benedikt Jan 
Published: December 2011

AbstractA modified version of a microscale atmospheric pressure plasma jet (µ‐APPJ) source, so‐called X‐Jet, is used to study the role of plasma‐generated VUV photons in the interaction of bacteria. The new jet geometry allows effective separation of reactive particles (O atoms or O3 molecules) from the plasma‐generated photons. The measurements of the size of inhibition zones formed in the layer of vegetative Escherichia coli bacteria, VUV emission intensity, and the mass spectrometry measurements show that photochemistry in the gas phase followed by photochemistry products impacting on bacteria is more effective in bacterial inactivation than direct VUV radiation damage. Protonated water cluster ions are detected indicating that water impurity has to be considered carefully. The combination of the presence of water cluster ions and O2 molecules at the surface leads to the strongest effect. Additionally, the interaction of plasma‐generated VUV photons with the effluent of the He/O2 plasma, but not with ground state O2, leads to faster inactivation of bacteria, most probably due to enhanced formation of O and O3.magnified image
Molecular basis of the fructose‐2,6‐bisphosphatase reaction of PFKFB3: Transition state and the C‐terminal function
Authors: Cavalier Michael C. , Kim Song‐Gun , Neau David , Lee Yong‐Hwan 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe molecular basis of fructose‐2,6‐bisphosphatase (F‐2,6‐P2ase) of 6‐phosphofructo‐2‐kinase/fructose‐2,6‐bisphosphatase (PFKFB) was investigated using the crystal structures of the human inducible form (PFKFB3) in a phospho‐enzyme intermediate state (PFKFB3‐P•F‐6‐P), in a transition state–analogous complex (PFKFB3•AlF4), and in a complex with pyrophosphate (PFKFB3•PPi) at resolutions of 2.45, 2.2, and 2.3 Å, respectively. Trapping the PFKFB3‐P•F‐6‐P intermediate was achieved by flash cooling the crystal during the reaction, and the PFKFB3•AlF4 and PFKFB3•PPi complexes were obtained by soaking. The PFKFB3•AlF4 and PFKFB3•PPi complexes resulted in removing F‐6‐P from the catalytic pocket. With these structures, the structures of the Michaelis complex and the transition state were extrapolated. For both the PFKFB3‐P formation and break down, the phosphoryl donor and the acceptor are located within ∼5.1 Å, and the pivotal point 2‐P is on the same line, suggesting an “in‐line” transfer with a direct inversion of phosphate configuration. The geometry suggests that NE2 of His253 undergoes a nucleophilic attack to form a covalent NP bond, breaking the 2OP bond in the substrate. The resulting high reactivity of the leaving group, 2O of F‐6‐P, is neutralized by a proton donated by Glu322. Negative charges on the equatorial oxygen of the transient bipyramidal phosphorane formed during the transfer are stabilized by Arg252, His387, and Asn259. The C‐terminal domain (residues 440–446) was rearranged in PFKFB3•PPi, implying that this domain plays a critical role in binding of substrate to and release of product from the F‐2,6‐P2ase catalytic pocket. These findings provide a new insight into the understanding of the phosphoryl transfer reaction. Proteins 2012; © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Painted graphitic carbon films formed underneath Ni templates
Authors: Lin Meng‐Yu , Sheng Yung‐Shuan , Lin Shih‐Yen , Lee Si‐Chen 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBy using charcoal pencil as carbon source in the metal‐catalyzed crystallization method, graphitic carbon films are demonstrated in this paper. The annealing temperature is the key issue to obtain high‐quality graphitic carbon films. The mechanism of metal‐catalyzed crystallization of nickel is also investigated. The investigation of fabricate graphene with metal‐catalyzed crystallization of pencil carbon make it a low‐cost and easy approach for large‐area graphene preparation. Also observed is the graphitic carbon film underneath the Ni templates. Compared to the top layer graphene, underneath graphene has better film completeness and similar film quality. With the underneath graphene, selective graphene deposition can be easily achieved by pre‐patterning the metal template (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
1.3‐μm wavelength‐tunable quantum‐dot optical frequency comb generator integrated with absorptive optical attenuator
Authors: Yamamoto Naokatsu , Akahane Kouichi , Kawanishi Tetsuya , Katouf Redouane , Sotobayashi Hideyuki , Yoshioka Yuki , Takai Hiroshi 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe generation of multiple‐wavelength fine peaks in the 1.3‐μm waveband with wavelength tunability and powercontrollability is successfully demonstrated using a quantum‐dot optical frequency comb laser (QD‐CML) integrated with an absorptive optical attenuator by employing a broadband optical injection seeding technique. High‐quality, high‐density InAs/InGaAs QD optical gain media are fabricated on a GaAs substrate using a sandwiched sub‐nano separator (SSNS) growth technique. A wide wavelength tuning range between 1.274 and 1.302 μm was achieved at a low gain current of 50 mA. In addition, a high extinction ratio of ‐20 dB at a low attenuator voltage (‐2.5 V) was achieved in the fabricated QD‐CML (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A novel method to clarify nonlinear equivalent circuits of tunnel diodes by extracting rate constants for nonequilibrium electrons
Authors: Asakawa Kiyoto , Kurakami Yuji , Saito Mitsufumi , Suhara Michihiko 
Published: December 2011

AbstractCompound semiconductor resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs) have been studied aiming at realizing high speed devices in the terahertz range. An ultimate property of such a high‐speed operation is limited by nonlinear transport physics of electrons. Recently we found both quantum inductance and quantum capacitance, which are intrinsically involved in an equivalent circuit expression of RTDs, are given by rate constants for nonequilibrium electrons. This paper is aiming at clarification of the nonlinear equivalent circuit by extracting effective escape rate constants from measured admittance of tunnel diodes. Especially InGaAs/InAlAs triple‐barrier RTDs were examined and nonlinear voltage dependency of quantum inductance and quantum capacitance was experimentally clarified. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
It's not easy being green: Strategies for all‐nitrides, all‐colour solid state lighting
Authors: O'Donnell K. P. , Auf der Maur M. , Di Carlo A. , Lorenz K. , the SORBET consortium  
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe design strategy presently employed to obtain ‘white’ light from semiconductors combines the emission of an InGaN blue or UV light‐emitting diode (LED) with that of one or more yellow‐orange phosphors. While commercially successful, this approach achieves good colour rendering only by increasing the number and spectral range of the phosphors used; compared to the alternative of combining ‘true’ red, green and blue (RGB) sources, it is intrinsically inefficient. The two major roadblocks to the RGB approach are 1. the green gap in the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of LEDs; 2. the diode droop in the efficiency of LEDs at higher current densities. The physical origin of these effects, in the case of III‐nitrides, is generally thought to be a combination of Quantum Confined Stark Effect (QCSE) and Auger Effect (AE). These effects respectively reduce the electron–hole wave‐ function overlap of In‐rich InGaN quantum wells (QW), and provide a non‐radiative shunt for electron–hole recombination, particularly at higher excitation densities. SORBET, a novel band gap engineering strategy based upon quantum well intermixing (QWIM), offers solutions to both of the roadblocks mentioned above. In this introduction to SORBET, its great potential is tested and confirmed by the results of simulations of green InGaN diodes performed using the TiberCAD device modelling suite, which calculates the macroscopic properties of real‐world optoelectronic and electronic devices in a multiscale formalism. An alternative approach to the realisation of RGB GaN‐based LEDs through doping of an active layer by rare earth (RE) ions will also be briefly described. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Inhibition of 3‐methylcrotonyl‐CoA carboxylase explains the increased excretion of 3‐hydroxyisovaleric acid in valproate‐treated patients
Authors: Luís Paula B. M. , Ruiter Jos P. , IJlst Lodewijk , Diogo Luísa , Garcia Paula , de Almeida Isabel Tavares , Duran Marinus , Wanders Ronald J. , Silva Margarida F. B. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundValproic acid (VPA) is a widely used anticonvulsant drug which affects mitochondrial metabolism including the catabolism of fatty acids and branched‐chain amino acids.AimsTo elucidate the effect of valproate on the leucine pathway through a targeted metabolomics approach and the evaluation of the effects of valproate on the activity of biotinidase and 3‐methylcrotonyl‐CoA carboxylase (3MCC).MethodsUrine organic acid analysis was performed in patients under VPA therapy and healthy controls using gas‐chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Biotinidase activity was determined in plasma samples of both groups using an optimized spectrophotometric assay. After immunoprecipitation of short‐chain enoyl‐CoA hydratase (crotonase, ECHS1), 3MCC activity was measured in human liver homogenate using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), in the absence and presence of valproyl‐CoA.ResultsThe levels of 3‐hydroxyisovaleric acid (3OH‐IVA), one secondary metabolite of the leucine pathway, were significantly elevated in human urine after VPA treatment. Biotinidase activity in plasma samples ranged from very low to normal levels in treated patients as compared with controls. Enzyme activity measurements revealed inhibition of 3‐methylcrotonyl‐CoA carboxylase by valproyl‐CoA (IC50 = 1.36 mM). Furthermore, we show that after complete immunoprecipitation of crotonase in a human liver homogenate, 3‐hydroxyisovaleryl‐CoA is not formed.DiscussionOur results suggest the interference of VPA with the activity of 3MCC through a potential cumulative effect: direct inhibition of the enzyme activity by the drug metabolite valproyl‐CoA and the inhibition of biotinidase by valproate and/or its metabolites. These interactions may be associated with the skin rash and hair loss which are side effects often reported in VPA‐treated patients.