bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systemic sclerosis and lupus: Points in an interferon‐mediated continuum
Authors: Assassi Shervin , Mayes Maureen D. , Arnett Frank C. , Gourh Pravitt , Agarwal Sandeep K. , McNearney Terry A. , Chaussabel Damien , Oommen Nancy , Fischbach Michael , Shah Kairav R. , Charles Julio , Pascual Virginia , Reveille John D. , Tan Filemon K. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate peripheral blood (PB) cell transcript profiles of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and its subtypes in direct comparison with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).MethodsWe investigated PB cell samples from 74 SSc patients, 21 healthy controls, and 17 SLE patients using Illumina Human Ref‐8 BeadChips and quantitative polymerase chain reaction confirmation. None of the study participants were receiving immunosuppressive agents other than low‐dose steroids and hydroxychloroquine. In addition to conventional statistical and modular analysis, a composite score for the interferon (IFN)–inducible genes was calculated. Within the group of patients with SSc, the correlation of the IFN score with the serologic and clinical subtypes was investigated, as were single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in a selected number of IFN pathway genes.ResultsMany of the most prominently overexpressed genes in SSc and SLE were IFN‐inducible genes. Forty‐three of 47 overexpressed IFN‐inducible genes in SSc (91%) were similarly altered in SLE. The IFN score was highest in the SLE patients, followed by the SSc patients, and then the controls. The difference in IFN score among all 3 groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001 for all 3 comparisons). SSc and SLE PB cell samples showed striking parallels to our previously reported SSc skin transcripts in regard to the IFN‐inducible gene expression pattern. In SSc, the presence of antitopoisomerase and anti–U1 RNP antibodies and lymphopenia correlated with the higher IFN scores (P = 0.005, P = 0.001, and P = 0.004, respectively); a missense mutation in IFNAR2 was significantly associated with the IFN score.ConclusionSLE and SSc fit within the same spectrum of IFN‐mediated diseases. A subset of SSc patients shows a “lupus‐like” high IFN‐inducible gene expression pattern that correlates with the presence of antitopoisomerase and anti–U1 RNP antibodies.
Left ventricular structure and function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, as assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Giles Jon T. , Malayeri Ashkan A. , Fernandes Veronica , Post Wendy , Blumenthal Roger S. , Bluemke David , Vogel‐Claussen Jens , Szklo Moyses , Petri Michelle , Gelber Allan C. , Brumback Lyndia , Lima João , Bathon Joan M. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractObjectiveHeart failure is a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but little is known about myocardial structure and function in this population. This study was undertaken to assess the factors associated with progression to heart failure in patients with RA.MethodsWith the use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, measures of myocardial structure and function were assessed in men and women with RA enrolled in the Evaluation of Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease and Predictors of Events in Rheumatoid Arthritis study, a cohort study of subclinical cardiovascular disease in patients with RA, in comparison with non‐RA control subjects from a cohort enrolled in the Baltimore Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.ResultsMeasures of myocardial structure and function were compared between 75 patients with RA and 225 frequency‐matched controls. After adjustment for confounders, the mean left ventricular mass was found to be 26 gm lower in patients with RA compared with controls (P < 0.001), an 18% difference. In addition, the mean left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiac output, and stroke volume were modestly lower in the RA group compared with controls. The mean left ventricular end systolic and end diastolic volumes did not differ between the groups. In patients with RA, higher levels of anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti‐CCP) antibodies and current use of biologic agents, but not other measures of disease activity or severity, were associated with significantly lower adjusted mean values for the left ventricular mass, end diastolic volume, and stroke volume, but not with ejection fraction. The combined associations of anti‐CCP antibody level and biologic agent use with myocardial measures were additive, without evidence of interaction.ConclusionThese findings suggest that the progression to heart failure in RA may occur through reduced myocardial mass rather than hypertrophy. Both modifiable and nonmodifiable factors may contribute to lower levels of left ventricular mass and volume.
Anatomical Sciences Education vol.3, issue 1, 2010 cover image
Authors: Böckers Anja , Jerg‐Bretzke Lucia , Lamp Christoph , Brinkmann Anke , Traue Harald C. , Böckers Tobias M. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractA team of medical students (in green), tutors (in blue), and faculty (in white) at Ulm University Faculty of Medicine in Ulm, Germany, discussing objectives for the cardiac gross anatomy session. The session takes place in the state of the art training facility, the “Theatrum Anatomicum,” built in the Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology adjacent to the gross anatomy laboratory. Böckers and her co‐authors discuss their studies evaluating students' perceptions of the gross anatomy course at their university in the current issue of ASE.
Revisiting the syntactical and structural analysis of Library of Congress Subject Headings for the digital environment
Authors: Yi Kwan , Chan Lois Mai 
Published: January 2010

AbstractWith the current information environment characterized by the proliferation of digital resources, including collaboratively created and shared resources, Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) is facing the challenges of effective and efficient subject‐based organization and retrieval of digital resources. To explore the feasibility of utilizing LCSH in a digital environment, we might need to revisit its basic characteristics. The objectives of our study were to analyze LCSH in both syntactic and relational structures, to discover the structural characteristics of LCSH, and to identify problems and issues for the feasibility of LCSH as an effective subject access tool. This study reports and discusses issues raised by the syntactic and hierarchical structures of LCSH that present challenges to its use in a networked environment. Given the results of this study, we recommend a number of provisional future directions for the development of LCSH towards further becoming a viable system for digital and networked resources.
1‐Alkyl‐1H‐imidazole‐Based Dipolar Organic Compounds for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Velusamy Marappan , Hsu Ying‐Chan , Lin Jiann T. , Chang Che‐Wei , Hsu Chao‐Ping 
Published: January 2010

AbstractA series of donor–π–acceptor‐type organic dyes based on 1‐alkyl‐1H‐imidazole spacers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 have been developed and characterized. The two electron donors are at positions 4 and 5 of the imidazole, while the electron‐accepting cyanoacrylic acid is incorporated at position 2 by a spacer‐containing heteroaromatic rings, such as thiophene and thiazole. Detailed investigation on the relationship between the structure, spectral and electrochemical properties, and performance of DSSC is described here. Dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using dyes as the sensitizers exhibit good efficiencies, ranging from 3.06 to 6.35 %, which reached 42–87 % with respect to that of N719‐based device (7.33 %) fabricated and measured under similar conditions. Time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations have been performed on the dyes, and the results show that both electron donors can contribute to electron injection upon photo‐excitation, either directly or indirectly by internal conversion to the lowest excited state.
Solution‐Processed Bulk Heterojunction Photovoltaic Cells from Gradient π‐Conjugated Thienylene Vinylene Dendrimers
Authors: Wang Jin‐Liang , Zhong Chengmei , Tang Zheng‐Ming , Wu Hongbin , Ma Yuguo , Cao Yong , Pei Jian 
Published: January 2010

AbstractA series of gradient π‐conjugated dendrimers and their corresponding models based on 5,5,10,10,15,15‐hexahexyltruxene moieties as nodes and oligo(thienylene vinylene) (OTVs) units with different lengths as branching arms are synthesized in good yields through Wittig–Horner reactions. All new compounds are fully characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and MALDI‐TOF MS or ESI‐MS. Investigation of their photophysical properties reveals that the gradient dendritic scaffold not only results in a higher molar absorption coefficient and broader absorption region than those of their corresponding model compounds, but also improves the PL quantum yields relative to the corresponding OTVs. The suitable HOMO and LUMO levels as well as excellent film forming properties make these molecules potential candidates for organic solar cells. Solution‐processed bulk heterojunction solar cells using these dendrimers as donor and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C61 butyric acid methyl ester as acceptor are prepared and tested. The power conversion efficiency of the devices based on G0-4-2 is 0.40 % under illumination of air mass 1.5 and 100 mW cm−2. This is the highest record value for OTV‐based materials to date. Although the absorption band of dendrimer G0-4-2 is much narrower than that of poly(3‐hexylthienylene vinylene) (P3HTV), the efficiency of its solar cell device is almost twice that of the device based on P3HTV. This result shows clearly the advantage of gradient dendritic structures as active materials for photovoltaic cells.
Trans‐A2B‐corroles Bearing a Coumarin Moiety ‐ From Synthesis to Photophysics
Authors: Tasior Mariusz , Gryko Daniel T. , Pielacińska Dominika J. , Zanelli Alberto , Flamigni Lucia 
Published: January 2010

AbstractFour dyads comprised of corrole and coumarin units have been synthesised. Three coumarincarboxaldehydes were synthesized and transformed into the correspondingtrans‐A2B‐corroles by reaction with 5‐(pentafluorophenyl)dipyrromethane. It has been proven that this type of direct condensation can lead to the corresponding corroles in moderate yields. The reaction of hydroxybenzaldehydes with vinylphosphonium salts has been identified as the most general method for the preparation of formyl‐coumarins with various patterns of substituents. The dyad consisting of ketobiscoumarin and corrole was synthesized by Sonogashira coupling. Spectroscopic and photophysical investigations revealed that there is an efficient energy transfer from the coumarin moiety to corrole in all four dyads. Energy transfer can be clearly ascribed to a dipole–dipole mechanism (Förster) for all dyads that contain luminescent coumarins and to an electron exchange mechanism (Dexter) for the dyad with the non‐luminescent one. In the case of the dyad that bears coumarin with a hydroxy group at position 5, an electron‐transfer was detected from corrole to coumarin. The latter process is possible because of the suitably low reduction potential of coumarins of this type.
Luminescence Screening Assays for the Identification of Sensitizers for Lanthanides Based on the Controlled Formation of Ternary Lanthanide Complexes with DTPA–Bisamide Ligands
Authors: Ruston Linette L. , Robertson Graeme M. , Pikramenou Zoe 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe formation of ternary complexes of lanthanide–diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)–bisamide complexes with different aromatic acids and their application in luminescent screening assays are presented. The europium complexes of DTPA–bisethylamide (BEA), DTPA–bisbutylamide (BUA), DTPA–bis(2‐norbornyl) (NBA), and DTPA–bis(1‐adamantyl) (ADA) have been isolated and the sensitization of emission upon 1:1 formation with aromatic acids has been studied by luminescence spectroscopy. The ternary complexes show stronger luminescence with picolinate (PCA) rather than phthalate (PTA) or benzoate (BZA), with the latter forming 1:2 complexes. Isophthalate and dipicolinate sensitizers do not show a 1:1 formation of the ternary complexes. Electrospray mass spectra show characteristic peaks that confirm the formation of the ternary complexes, and NMR spectroscopic studies demonstrated a conformational locking effect upon formation of the ternary complex. It is shown that europium complexes with bulkier amide arms provide complexes with stronger luminescence enhancement that is clearly attributable to the bulkiness of the amide arms. In a luminescence screening experiment, different substitutions on BZA and PCA were examined. Sensitizers with a long alkyl chain show greater luminescent enhancements than the nonsubstituted acids, which can be attributed to an “umbrella” effect of the alkyl chain that protects the europium luminescent center from the quenching of secondary high‐energy vibrations, in particular OH from water molecules. The same effect is presented for the quinoline derivatives as sensitizers. Quinoline derivatives with salicylate binding units were identified as the best sensitizers when combined with EuADA, which is even bulkier than EuNBA, with HQ‐3COO showing a 50‐fold enhancement of emission upon formation of 1:1 complexes.
New Insights into the Formation and Reactivity of Molecular Organostannonic Acids
Authors: Ahmad S. Usman , Beckmann Jens , Duthie Andrew 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe controlled base hydrolysis of 2,6‐Mes2C6H3SnCl3(1; Mes=mesityl) provided 2,6‐Mes2C6H3Sn(OH)Cl2⋅H2O (2) and the trinuclear organostannonic acidtrans‐[2,6‐Mes2C6H3Sn(O)OH]3(3), respectively. In moist C6D6,3reversibly reacts with water to give the monomeric organostannonic acid 2,6‐Mes2C6H3Sn(OH)3(3a). The reaction of3with (tBu2SnO)3, Ph2PO2H, and NaH, gives rise to the multinuclear hypercoordinated organostannoxane clusters [tBu2Sn(OH)OSnR(OH)2OC(OSntBu2OH)2(O)SnR(OH)(H2O)]2(5), [RSn(OH)2(O2PPh2)]2(6), and Na3(RSn)4O6(OH)3(7), respectively (R=2,6‐Mes2C6H3). The characterization of the new compounds is achieved by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and electrospray mass spectrometry in solution and119Sn MAS NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and X‐ray crystallography in the solid‐state.
Beyond Traditional Cross Couplings: The Scope of the Cross Dehydrogenative Coupling Reaction
Authors: Scheuermann Caroline J. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe development of new and environmentally compatible methods for the synthesis of CC and Cheteroatom bonds is of great significance to researchers. The cross dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) is emerging as an important tool for chemists with a variety of, often inexpensive, metal catalysts able to perform these reactions both regio‐ and enantioselectively. Perhaps more importantly CDC methodology has been shown to be extremely environmentally friendly and facile being able to be carried out in aqueous environments under an atmosphere of air. This Focus Review intends to give an overview of the most contemporary developments in this exciting and emerging area of cross‐coupling chemistry.
Geotechnical verifications using the finite‐element method?
Authors: Heibaum Michael , Herten Markus 
Published: January 2010

AbstractGeotechnical design is increasingly carried out by incorporating the finite element method (FEM), supported by increasing PC‐power. It is discussed and explained with the help of an example to what extent this method can be used as to verifications according to European and German standards. Safety margins given in the standards are based on certain models and the according experience, which cannot be transferred to other approaches. It is shown that actions and effects determined by FEM are applicable in verifications according to DIN 1054 and EN 1997‐1, “Design approach 2*”. Resistances can also be calculated using FEM, but there is not enough experience to date to judge the reliability of such approaches. Resistances should therefore be determined in the traditional way. Consequently, there is no justification for an alteration of the factors of safety as set in the standards at the present time.
Small‐strain stiffness in geotechnical analyses
Authors: Benz Thomas , Schwab Radu , Vermeer Pieter 
Published: January 2010

AbstractNonlinear soil behaviour at small strains is often neglected in geotechnical analyses. Doing so often leads to an overestimation of foundation settlements and retaining wall deflections. Settlement troughs behind retaining walls or above tunnels, on the other hand, may be analysed as too flat and extended. Comparing measured displacements of piles or anchors within the working load range, to those calculated without considering small‐strain stiffness, shows a considerably too soft response. This paper is concerned with a qualitative and quantitative discussion of the small‐strain stiffness phenomenon. In combination with the commercially available small‐strain stiffness model introduced, it provides the basics for incorporating small‐strain stiffness into routine design.
Numerical simulation of pile driving in the passive earth pressure zone of excavation support walls
Authors: Grabe Jürgen , Henke Sascha , Schümann Björn 
Published: January 2010

AbstractIn situ measurements, carried out in deep excavations during construction, show that the installation of anchor piles to prevent uplift of the formation level slab leads to large deformations in the excavation support works. Currently, it is hardly possible to predict these installation‐related additional loads and they are often quite astonishing. The aim of this article is to present a first numerical model, to predict the additional loads on the subsoil and the excavation works in the vicinity of piling works. The importance of the numerical investigations is described, using the example of the additional deformations measured at Potsdamer Platz during the vibratory driving of anchor piles. In the future however, considerable work will still be required to derive recommendations for excavation work.
Bemessung, Anwendung und Qualitätssicherung von Stahlfaserspritzbeton im Tunnelbau
Authors: Gossla Ulrich , Buttel Luc , Wahrmund Holger , Mehlig Bernd 
Published: January 2010

AbstractDie Spritzbetonbauweise hat sich im Tunnelbau seit Jahren bewährt. Spritzbeton wird als unbewehrter Beton, in Verbindung mit Bewehrung sowie als Stahlfaserspritzbeton eingesetzt. Bei den meisten Tunnelschalen aus Stahlfaserspritzbeton werden Stahlfasern derzeit nur als konstruktive Bewehrung verwendet. Die Faserzugabe führt zu einer nennenswerten Erhöhung der Bruchenergie und somit zu einer höheren Zähigkeit des sonst spröden Materials und damit zu einer höheren Sicherheit.Stahlfaserspritzbeton kann auch anstelle von Spritzbeton mit statisch erforderlicher Mattenbewehrung eingesetzt werden. Die Bemessung erfolgt dann unter Berücksichtigung der Nachrisszugfestigkeit. Diese kann wie bei Stahlfaserbeton an Biegebalken ermittelt werden, die aus größeren Proben herausgesägt werden. Anhand von verschiedenen Beispielen werden die unterschiedlichen Anwendungen aufgezeigt und die dafür erforderlichen Prüfungen vorgestellt.Design, Execution and Quality Management of Steel Fibre Reinforced Shotcrete in TunnelsThe shotcrete method has been proven for tunnel structures since years. Shotcrete can be used unreinforced, in combination with reinforcement meshes and with fibre reinforcement.At the moment most steel fibre shotcrete tunnel liners have non‐structural fibre reinforcement. However, the addition of fibres increases the fracture energy of the material and changes the shotcrete behaviour from brittle to ductile with higher reliability.Steel fibre shotcrete can also replace shotcrete with traditional mesh reinforcement. The verification of steel fibre shotcrete takes the post cracking tensile strength of the material into account. The tensile strength of the cracked fibre concrete can be derived from bending tests on beams cut out of a larger shotcrete sample.This paper presents the different types of executed shotcrete applications in tunnels and the necessary test methods.
How did LUCA make a living? Chemiosmosis in the origin of life
Authors: Lane Nick , Allen John F. , Martin William 
Published: January 2010

AbstractDespite thermodynamic, bioenergetic and phylogenetic failings, the 81‐year‐old concept of primordial soup remains central to mainstream thinking on the origin of life. But soup is homogeneous in pH and redox potential, and so has no capacity for energy coupling by chemiosmosis. Thermodynamic constraints make chemiosmosis strictly necessary for carbon and energy metabolism in all free‐living chemotrophs, and presumably the first free‐living cells too. Proton gradients form naturally at alkaline hydrothermal vents and are viewed as central to the origin of life. Here we consider how the earliest cells might have harnessed a geochemically created proton‐motive force and then learned to make their own, a transition that was necessary for their escape from the vents. Synthesis of ATP by chemiosmosis today involves generation of an ion gradient by means of vectorial electron transfer from a donor to an acceptor. We argue that the first donor was hydrogen and the first acceptor CO2.
One‐step RNA pathogen detection with reverse transcriptase activity of a mutated thermostable Thermus aquaticus DNA polymerase
Authors: Kranaster Ramon , Drum Matthias , Engel Nicole , Weidmann Manfred , Hufert Frank T. , Marx Andreas 
Published: January 2010

AbstractWe describe the cloning and characterization of a mutated thermostable DNA polymerase from Thermus aquaticus (Taq) that exhibits an increased reverse transcriptase activity and is therefore designated for one‐step PCR pathogen detection using established real‐time detection methods. We demonstrate that this Taq polymerase mutant (Taq M1) has similar PCR sensitivity and nuclease activity as the respective Taq wild‐type DNA polymerase. In addition, and in marked contrast to the wild‐type, Taq M1 exhibits a significantly increased reverse transcriptase activity especially at high temperatures (>60°C). RNA generally hosts highly stable secondary structure motifs, such as hairpins and G‐quadruplexes, which complicate, or in the worst case obviate, reverse transcription (RT). Thus, RT at high temperatures is desired to weaken or melt secondary structure motifs. To demonstrate the ability of Taq M1 for RNA detection of pathogens, we performed TaqMan probe‐based diagnostics of Dobrava viruses by one‐step RT‐PCR. We found similar detection sensitivities compared to commercially available RT‐PCR systems without further optimization of reaction parameters, thus making this enzyme highly suitable for any PCR probe‐based RNA detection method.
A rapid TRIzol‐based two‐step method for DNA‐free RNA extraction from Arabidopsis siliques and dry seeds
Authors: Meng Ling , Feldman Lewis 
Published: January 2010

AbstractExtraction of high‐quality RNA from Arabidopsis seeds has been a challenge. Here we report a two‐step TRIzol‐based procedure for RNA extraction from Arabidopsis siliques and dry seeds. This procedure employs a modified, high pH (pH 9.5) extraction buffer. High pH plus the addition of either DTT or β‐mercaptoethanol in the extraction buffer effectively inhibits RNase activity during the extraction, and removes most polysaccharides, polyphenols and other insoluble material. TRIzol reagent was subsequently used to purify the RNA. Using this procedure we isolated high‐quality DNA‐free RNA samples without DNase I treatment from Arabidopsis seeds or siliques in less than 3 h.