bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neutrophil-Derived Hyperresistinemia in Severe Acute Streptococcal Infections
Authors: Johansson Linda , Linnér Anna , Sundén-Cullberg Jonas , Haggar Axana , Herwald Heiko , Loré Karin , Treutiger Carl-Johan , Norrby-Teglund Anna 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
The concept of neutrophil activation and degranulation as important contributors to disease pathology in invasive group A streptococcal infections has recently been emphasized. This study focuses on two of the most severe streptococcal manifestations, toxic shock syndrome and necrotizing fasciitis, and the newly described proinflammatory molecule resistin, known to derive from adipocytes and monocytes. We demonstrate for the first time that these conditions are characterized by hyperresistinemia in circulation as well as at the local site of infection. Importantly, analyses of patient tissue biopsies and whole blood revealed that neutrophils represent a novel and dominant source of resistin in bacterial septic shock. This was confirmed by the identification of resistin within neutrophil azurophilic granules. In vitro assays using primary neutrophils showed that resistin release was readily triggered by streptococcal cell wall components and by the streptococcal M1 protein, but not by the potent streptococcal superantigens. This is the first report demonstrating that resistin is released from neutrophils in response to microbial stimuli, which adds resistin to the neutrophil granule proteins that are likely to contribute to the pathologic inflammatory responses associated with severe streptococcal infections.
Tunable Injection Barrier in Organic Resistive Switches Based on Phase‐Separated Ferroelectric–Semiconductor Blends
Authors: Asadi Kamal , de Boer Tom G. , Blom Paul W. M. , de Leeuw Dago M. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractOrganic non‐volatile resistive bistable diodes based on phase‐separated blends of ferroelectric and semiconducting polymers are fabricated. The polarization field of the ferroelectric modulates the injection barrier at the semiconductor–electrode contact and, hence, the resistance of the comprising diodes. Comparison between the on‐ and off‐current of the switching diodes, with the current measured for semiconductor‐only diodes reveals that the switching occurs between bulk‐limited, i.e., space‐charge‐limited, and injection‐limited current transport. By deliberately varying the HOMO energy of the semiconductor and the work‐function of the metal electrode, it is demonstrated that injection barriers up to 1.6 eV can be surmounted by the ferroelectric polarization yielding on/off current modulations of more than five orders of magnitude. The exponential dependence of the current modulation with a slope of 0.25 eV/decade is rationalized by the magnitude of the injection barrier.
Ionic‐Liquid‐Doped Polyaniline Inverse Opals: Preparation, Characterization, and Application for the Electrochemical Impedance Immunoassay of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
Authors: Li Xing‐Hua , Dai Lin , Liu Yan , Chen Xiao‐Jun , Yan Wei , Jiang Li‐Ping , Zhu Jun‐Jie 
Published: August 2009

AbstractA 3D ordered macroporous (3DOM) ionic‐liquid‐doped polyaniline (IL‐PANI) inverse opaline film is fabricated with an electropolymerization method and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are assembled on the film by electrostatic adsorption, which offers a promising basis for biomolecular immobilization due to its satisfactory chemical stability, good electronic conductivity, and excellent biocompatibility. The AuNP/IL‐PANI inverse opaline film could be used to fabricate an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) immunosensor for the determination of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The concentration of HBsAg is measured using the EIS technique by monitoring the corresponding specific binding between HBsAg and HBsAb (surface antibody). The increased electron transfer resistance (Ret) values are proportional to the logarithmic value of the concentration of HBsAg. This novel immunoassay displays a linear response range between 0.032 pg mL−1 and 31.6 pg mL−1 with a detection limit of 0.001 pg mL−1. The detection of HBsAg levels in several sera showed satisfactory agreement with those using a commercial turbidimetric method.
Anwendung von Trapezblechstegen im Brückenbau
Authors: Novàk Balthasar , Röhm Jochen 
Published: August 2009

AbstractTrapezblechstege im Brückenbau kommen trotz der großen Vorteile, die diese Bauweise bietet, in Deutschland bisher nur an einem Pilotprojekt zur Anwendung. Durch die charakteristischen Eigenschaften des Trapezbleches entstehen konstruktive und wirtschaftliche Vorteile gegenüber herkömmlichen Brückenbauweisen. Allerdings lassen die aktuell gültigen Regelwerke aufgrund fehlender Kenntnis zum Tragverhalten und mangelnder Erfahrung keine wirtschaftliche Ausbildung zu. Dies zeigt sich am Beispiel des Pilotprojekts. Die Ausbildung der Verbundfuge wurde hier nur sehr unbefriedigend gelöst und verdeutlicht somit die Notwendigkeit einfacher und praktikabler Verbindungsmöglichkeiten.Am Institut für Leichtbau Entwerfen und Konstruieren der Universität Stuttgart wurde in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Institut für Konstruktion und Entwurf ein von der Forschungsvereinigung für Stahlanwendung e. V. (FOSTA) finanziertes Forschungsvorhaben bearbeitet, bei dem unterschiedliche Verbundfugenausbildungen numerisch und experimentell untersucht wurden. Der folgende Beitrag beschränkt sich auf die Verwendung von Betondübeln als Verbundmittel und stellt hierfür ein einfaches Bemessungskonzept für die Verbundsicherung unter Längsschubbeanspruchung im Grenzzustand der Tragfähigkeit vor.The use of corrugated steel webs in bridge constructions – Load bearing behaviour of concrete dowels in combination with corrugated steel webs under longitudinal shearStudies of the load bearing behaviour under shear force of integrated connections at composite bridge girders using corrugated steel webs. Up to now there is only one project in Germany, where the application of corrugated steel webs has been practiced in the field of composite bridges. Due to the characteristics of the corrugated steel web this construction method has constructive and economic advantages. However there is a lack of experiences and standards to fully utilize these advantages and to allow an economic application. Especially the first project in Germany expose some critical points. The design of the joint between the concrete slab and the corrugated steel web is actually not satisfactory and shows the need for simpler and more practicable connection methods.At the Institute for Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design at Universität Stuttgart and together with the Institute of Structural Design, a research project, financed by Forschungsvereinigung für Stahlanwendung e. V. (FOSTA) was made. Within this project different types of composite joints were experimentally and numerically analysed. This paper deals only with the investigations of concrete dowels as connectors. On the basis of these studies simple design rules for shear connection in the ultimate limit state were developed.
Understanding consumption within a care home: an interpretation of George's experiences of life and death
Authors: Stone Tim 
Published: August 2009

Abstract

We are witnessing perhaps the most important shift in the history of mankind – the rapid ageing of the earth's population. This trend raises such issues as elderly care giving and living arrangements in old age. By virtue, the author suggests that managing service provision for elderly consumers within care homes is going to become an increasingly important issue as more consumers live longer and require care. Moreover, given the paucity of literature related to elderly consumers' understandings of such institutions this research aims to illuminate and distil this issue. Based on interpretive methods the author reveals that elderly consumers such as George actively consume life and death related experiences in order to create a meaningful existence within the context of a care home.
Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel CuI Ethylene Complexes with 6,6′‐Diphenyl‐4,4′‐bipyrimidine Three‐Dimensionally Self‐Assembled by an Intermolecular π‐π Stacking Interaction and a C–H···N Contact
Authors: Maekawa Masahiko , Tominaga Toshi , Okubo Takashi , Kuroda‐Sowa Takayoshi , Munakata Megumu 
Published: August 2009

AbstractFour novel CuI–Ph2bpm/C2H4 adducts [Cu(Ph2bpm)(C2H4)]X [X = BF4 (1a, 1b), ClO4 (2) and PF6 (3); Ph2bpm = 6,6′‐diphenyl‐4,4′‐bipyrimidine] were prepared and they have been characterized by X‐ray, 1H NMR, IR and TG‐DTA analyses. The molecular structures of CuI–Ph2bpm/C2H4 complexes 1a, 1b, 2 and 3 are essentially similar: the Cu atom is coordinated by two N atoms in the chelate site of Ph2bpm and the C=C bond of C2H4 in the trigonal‐planar geometry. Interestingly, their crystal packing structures are much different from the connection manners of an intermolecular π–π stacking interaction and a C–H···N contact, resulting in the self‐assembly of CuI–C2H4 adducts with a unique three‐dimensional network structure. The X‐ray, 1H NMR, IR data support the assumption that the contribution of the larger CuI→C2H4 π back‐donation bonding is induced by the electron‐releasing phenyl group. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Quantification of free and esterified steryl glucosides in vegetable oils and biodiesel
Authors: Lacoste Florence , Dejean Franck , Griffon Hugues , Rouquette Charlotte 
Published: August 2009

AbstractSteryl glucosides (SG) are minor components that dramatically modify the low temperature performance of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) used as biodiesel. SG are naturally present in vegetable oils but they may also be the result of the transesterification of esterified steryl glucosides (ESG). These are present in vegetable oils at a level of a few hundred milligrams per kilogram, depending on the nature of the feedstock. We developed an analytical method to quantify SG and ESG in vegetable oils and in FAME. The purification of SG and ESG was performed by liquid chromatography on silica gel, and the analysis of the trimethylsilyl derivatives was achieved by gas chromatography and flame ionization detection. The filterability of biodiesel is affected when the SG content is higher than 20 mg/kg. Therefore, the sensitivity of this new method is adapted for this purpose since the quantification limit is 10 mg/kg of SG and ESG. The recoveries are acceptable, between 75% and 90% depending on the species and content, and the reproducibility relative standard deviation, evaluated at 10%, is comparable to other studies.
Enantioselective Ag‐Catalyzed Allylation of Aldimines
Authors: Naodovic Marina , Wadamoto Manabu , Yamamoto Hisashi 
Published: August 2009

AbstractA highly enantioselective synthesis of homoallylic amines, using allyltrimethoxysilane under AgI catalytic conditions, has been developed. Among the chiral ligands investigated, a remarkable difference in the resulting AgI complexes was observed. Under mild conditions and low catalyst loadings, homoallylamines were produced in high ee values (up to 80 %) and good yields. The methodology can be further extended to a diastere‐ and enantioselective crotylation of aldimines.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Simple Chiral Pyrrolidine–Pyridine‐Based Catalysts for Highly Enantioselective Michael Addition to Nitro Olefins
Authors: Xu Da‐Zhen , Shi Sen , Wang Yongmei 
Published: August 2009

AbstractA new class of chiral pyrrolidine–pyridine‐based organocatalysts, available from commercially available starting materials, have been synthesized and shown to be very effective catalysts for the asymmetric Michael addition reactions of cyclic/acyclic/aromatic ketones and an aldehyde with nitro olefins, giving excellent yields (up to 99 %), diastereoselectivities (syn/anti = 99:1), and enantioselectivities (up to 99 %). Based on the experimental results and ESI‐MS analysis of the intermediates, the mode of activity of the organocatalyst with the substrate was deduced. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
CFD simulation coupled with population balance equations for aerated stirred bioreactors
Authors: Zhang Hu , Zhang Kai , Fan Shengdi 
Published: August 2009

AbstractMammalian cells have been widely used to produce therapeutic proteins in stirred bioreactors in suspension culture. Local hydrodynamics can have a great impact on cell proliferation and protein synthesis, but there are few reports on spatial heterogeneity of nutrients, gas bubbles, and mass transfer coefficients. We have employed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) coupled with population balance equations to study local hydrodynamics in a 20 L stirred bioreactor. The flow patterns, energy dissipation rates, gas volume fraction, gas bubble size distribution and local mass transfer coefficient have been displayed throughout the whole bioreactor. Their implications for mammalian cell culture have been discussed. This study provides an insight into rational design and optimum operation conditions in a stirred bioreactor for mammalian cell cultivation.
Two‐Photon polymerization for microfabrication of three‐dimensional scaffolds for tissue engineering application
Authors: Weiß Thomas , Hildebrand Gerhard , Schade Ronald , Liefeith Klaus 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIn natural tissues cells are embedded in a three‐dimensional fibrous network of biopolymers like collagen, hyaluronic acid etc. This extracellular matrix (ECM) influences the cell fate, the differentiation status, metabolic processes and provides structural integrity. For a three‐dimensional or physiological cell cultivation that are required in biomedical applications (e.g. tissue engineering, BioMEMS) scaffolds are needed. These scaffolds mimic the ECM according to their biocompatibility which comprises aspects of surface compatibility and importantly for tissue engineering applications aspects of structural compatibility. We have evaluated scaffold design parameters for the three‐dimensional cultivation of chondrocytes for the tissue engineering of artificial cartilage. Two‐photon polymerization is a powerful technique for fabrication of polymeric three‐dimensional micro‐ and submicro‐structures. The photoinitiation system for two‐photon polymerization is excited by simultaneous absorption of two photons leading to chemical polymerization reactions. Due to a tight confinement of the excitation volume around the focal point, this method can produce micrometer sized objects maintaining a high spatial resolution down to 100 nm. Two‐photon processes require very high photon densities which are provided by pulsed femtosecond lasers. The potential of this approach for microfabrication of scaffolds for tissue engineering is demonstrated by investigation of the cell response to microstructures with complex three‐dimensional geometry and feature sizes in the range of few micrometers.
Independent voltage and frequency controller for a parallel operated isolated three‐phase asynchronous generators
Authors: Singh Bhim , Kasal Gaurav Kumar 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis paper presents a voltage and frequency controller (VFC) for parallel operated isolated asynchronous generators (IAGs) in pico and micro hydro systems feeding 3‐phase 4‐wire loads. The proposed VF controller regulates the system voltage and frequency in decoupled manner through control of reactive and active powers. The controller is a combination of a static compensator (STATCOM) and an electronic load controller (ELC). The STATCOM is used for reactive power compensation for voltage control, load balancing, harmonic elimination and neutral current compensation while an ELC is used for active power control at the terminals of the generators, which in turn keeps the system frequency constant. Modelling of the proposed generating system is carried out in MATLAB‐based environment and a set of simulation results are given to demonstrate the performance of the controller in an isolated electrical distribution system using SIMULINK and PSB (Power System Block sets) toolboxes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mood, side of motor symptom onset and pain complaints in Parkinson's disease
Authors: McNamara Patrick , Stavitsky Karina , Harris Erica , Szent‐Imrey Orsolya , Durso Raymon 
Published: August 2009

AbstractObjectivePatients with Parkinson's disease (PD) present with a variety of non‐motor symptoms including sensory complaints and mood disturbances. In the current pilot study, we aimed to explore pain complaints and the association between mood and pain in PD. We hypothesized that pain ratings would be elevated in patients with PD relative to controls. As PD is lateralized at onset and studies have found lateralization of some non‐motor symptoms in PD, we also hypothesized that PD patients would exhibit differing pain profiles depending on side of onset of the disease.MethodsTwenty‐three PD patients (11 right‐onset (RPD), 12 left‐onset (LPD) disease), and 11 control participants (CS) completed a mood questionnaire (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale; DASS) as well as the short form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire.ResultsBoth PD groups reported higher present pain intensity scores (p = 0.001), more evaluative pain intensity (p = 0.02), and more overall pain (p = 0.02) than control participants. There was a significant association between mood and all of the McGill pain ratings in the LPD patients, with those reporting more mood symptoms rating higher on all pain scales (all p‐values < 0.001). This association was not found in the RPD group.ConclusionsOur results suggest an association between mood and pain in patients with PD that may be related to the differential contribution of right‐hemispheric neural networks in processing of mood and pain states. These findings merit further investigation into the relation between mood and pain in patients with PD. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Water balance dynamics in the Nile Basin
Authors: Senay Gabriel B. , Asante Kwabena , Artan Guleid 
Published: August 2009

AbstractUnderstanding the temporal and spatial dynamics of key water balance components of the Nile River will provide important information for the management of its water resources. This study used satellite‐derived rainfall and other key weather variables derived from the Global Data Assimilation System to estimate and map the distribution of rainfall, actual evapotranspiration (ETa), and runoff. Daily water balance components were modelled in a grid‐cell environment at 0·1 degree (∼10 km) spatial resolution for 7 years from 2001 through 2007. Annual maps of the key water balance components and derived variables such as runoff and ETa as a percent of rainfall were produced. Generally, the spatial patterns of rainfall and ETa indicate high values in the upstream watersheds (Uganda, southern Sudan, and southwestern Ethiopia) and low values in the downstream watersheds. However, runoff as a percent of rainfall is much higher in the Ethiopian highlands around the Blue Nile subwatershed. The analysis also showed the possible impact of land degradation in the Ethiopian highlands in reducing ETa magnitudes despite the availability of sufficient rainfall. Although the model estimates require field validation for the different subwatersheds, the runoff volume estimate for the Blue Nile subwatershed is within 7·0% of a figure reported from an earlier study. Further research is required for a thorough validation of the results and their integration with ecohydrologic models for better management of water and land resources in the various Nile Basin ecosystems. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Test of statistical means for the extrapolation of soil depth point information using overlays of spatial environmental data and bootstrapping techniques
Authors: Dahlke Helen E. , Behrens Thorsten , Seibert Jan , Andersson Lotta 
Published: August 2009

AbstractHydrological modelling depends highly on the accuracy and uncertainty of model input parameters such as soil properties. Since most of these data are field surveyed, geostatistical techniques such as kriging, classification and regression trees or more sophisticated soil‐landscape models need to be applied to interpolate point information to the area. Most of the existing interpolation techniques require a random or regular distribution of points within the study area but are not adequate to satisfactorily interpolate soil catena or transect data. The soil landscape model presented in this study is predicting soil information from transect or catena point data using a statistical mean (arithmetic, geometric and harmonic mean) to calculate the soil information based on class means of merged spatial explanatory variables. A data set of 226 soil depth measurements covering a range of 0–6·5 m was used to test the model. The point data were sampled along four transects in the Stubbetorp catchment, SE‐Sweden. We overlaid a geomorphology map (8 classes) with digital elevation model‐derived topographic index maps (2–9 classes) to estimate the range of error the model produces with changing sample size and input maps. The accuracy of the soil depth predictions was estimated with the root mean square error (RMSE) based on a testing and training data set. RMSE ranged generally between 0·73 and 0·83 m ± 0·013 m depending on the amount of classes the merged layers had, but were smallest for a map combination with a low number of classes predicted with the harmonic mean (RMSE = 0·46 m). The results show that the prediction accuracy of this method depends on the number of point values in the sample, the value range of the measured attribute and the initial correlations between point values and explanatory variables, but suggests that the model approach is in general scale invariant. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiscale coupling in function space—weak coupling between molecular dynamics and continuum mechanics
Authors: Fackeldey Konstantin , Krause Rolf 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWe present a function space‐oriented coupling approach for the multiscale simulation of non‐linear processes in mechanics using finite elements and molecular dynamics concurrently. The key idea is to construct a transfer operator between the different scales on the basis of weighted local averaging instead of using point wise taken values. The local weight functions are constructed by assigning a partition of unity to the molecular degrees of freedom (Shepard's approach). This allows for decomposing the micro scale displacements into a low‐frequency and a high‐frequency part by means of a weighted L2‐projection. Numerical experiments illustrating the stabilizing effect of our coupling approach are given. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Grundlagen der therapeutischen Anwendung von EGb 761®. Wirkung auf die Kraftwerke der Zellen
Authors: Müller Walter E. , Abdel‐Kader Reham M. , Fehske Christian J. , Leuner Kristina 
Published: August 2009

AbstractDurch die vielen peripheren und zentralen Effekte war ein klares Wirkprofil für EGb 761® viele Jahre nicht erkennbar. Durch die Erforschung des protektiven Effekts von EGb 761® auf Mitochondrien können jetzt die unterschiedlichen Wirkqualitäten von EGb 761® wie antioxidative und antiapoptotische Effekte sehr gut erklärt werden. Des weiteren scheint eine Erhöhung der Dopaminkonzentration im präfrontalen Kortex eine Rolle für die Verbesserung der kognitiven Leistungsfähigkeit zu spielen.