bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Proteomic analysis of urinary exosomes from patients of early IgA nephropathy and thin basement membrane nephropathy
Authors: Moon Pyong‐Gon , Lee Jeong‐Eun , You Sungyong , Kim Taek‐Kyun , Cho Ji‐Hoon , Kim In‐San , Kwon Tae‐Hwan , Kim Chan‐Duck , Park Sun‐Hee , Hwang Daehee , Kim Yong‐Lim , Baek Moon‐Chang 
Published: March 2011

AbstractTo identify biomarker candidates associated with early IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and thin basement membrane nephropathy (TBMN), the most common causes presenting isolated hematuria in childhood, a proteomic approach of urinary exosomes from early IgAN and TBMN patients was introduced. The proteomic results from the patients were compared with a normal group to understand the pathophysiological processes associated with these diseases at the protein level. The urinary exosomes, which reflect pathophysiological processes, collected from three groups of young adults (early IgAN, TBMN, and normal) were trypsin‐digested using a gel‐assisted protocol, and quantified by label‐free LC‐MS/MS, using an MSE mode. A total of 1877 urinary exosome proteins, including cytoplasmic, membrane, and vesicle trafficking proteins, were identified. Among the differentially expressed proteins, four proteins (aminopeptidase N, vasorin precursor, α‐1‐antitrypsin, and ceruloplasmin) were selected as biomarker candidates to differentiate early IgAN from TBMN. We confirmed the protein levels of the four biomarker candidates by semi‐quantitative immunoblot analysis in urinary exosomes independently prepared from other patients, including older adult groups. Further clinical studies are needed to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of these urinary markers for early IgAN and TBMN. Taken together, this study showed the possibility of identifying biomarker candidates for human urinary diseases using urinary exosomes and might help to understand the pathophysiology of early IgAN and TBMN at the protein level.
Fully automatable two‐dimensional reversed‐phase capillary liquid chromatography with online tandem mass spectrometry for shotgun proteomics
Authors: Siu S. O. , Lam Maggie P. Y. , Lau Edward , Kong Ricky P. W. , Lee Simon M. Y. , Chu Ivan K. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractHerein, we describe the development of a fully automatable technology that features online coupling of high‐pH RP separation with conventional low‐pH RP separation in a two‐dimensional capillary liquid chromatography (2‐D LC) system for shotgun proteomics analyses. The complete analysis comprises 13 separation cycles, each involving transfer of the eluate from the first‐dimension, high‐pH RP separation onto the second RP dimension for further separation. The solvent strength increases across the 13 fractions (cycles) to elute all peptides for further resolution on the second‐dimension, low‐pH RP separation, each under identical gradient‐elution conditions. The total run time per analysis is 52 h. In triplicate analyses of a lysate of mouse embryonic fibroblasts, we used this technology to identify 2431 non‐redundant proteins, of which 50% were observed in all three replicates. A comparison of RP‐RP 2‐D LC and strong cation exchange‐RP 2‐D LC analyses reveals that the two technologies identify primarily different peptides, thereby underscoring the differences in their separation chemistries.
Inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus in Water by a Cold, He/O2 Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Microjet
Authors: Bai Na , Sun Peng , Zhou Haixia , Wu Haiyan , Wang Ruixue , Liu Fuxiang , Zhu Weidong , Lopez Jose L. , Zhang Jue , Fang Jing 
Published: March 2011

AbstractA direct‐current, atmospheric pressure, cold plasma microjet (PMJ) sustained in a quasi‐steady gas cavity in liquid was used to inactivate Staphylococcus aureus suspended in distilled water. While helium gas (with 2% O2 as additive) was used as working gas, an effective inactivation (>99%) was achieved in 6 min. The inactivation of bacteria was further verified by surface morphology examination and LIVE/DEAD Baclight bacterial viability test (fluorescence microscopy). The overall pH and temperature of the liquid were monitored during the plasma treatment and were found to be below the critical values for the survival of S. aureus. Hydroxyl radical (•OH) was detected via electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, and alongside other intermediate reactive species, is attributed to the effective inactivation of S. aureus. End‐on optical emission spectroscopy show strong atomic oxygen emission both in air and in water.magnified image
Simultaneous Etching and Deposition Processes during the Etching of Silicon with a Cl2/O2/Ar Inductively Coupled Plasma
Authors: Tinck Stefan , Bogaerts Annemie , Shamiryan Denis 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIn this article, surface processes occurring during the etching of Si with a Cl2/O2/Ar plasma are investigated by means of experiments and modeling. Cl2‐based plasmas are commonly used to etch silicon, while a small fraction of O2 is added to protect the sidewalls from lateral etching during the shallow trench isolation process. When the oxygen fraction exceeds a critical value, the wafer surface process changes from an etching regime to a deposition regime, drastically reducing the etch rate. This effect is commonly referred to as the etch stop phenomenon. To gain better understanding of this mechanism, the oxygen fraction is varied in the gas mixture and special attention is paid to the effects of oxygen and of the redeposition of non‐volatile etched species on the overall etch/deposition process. It is found that, when the O2 flow is increased, the etch process changes from successful etching to the formation of a rough surface, and eventually to the actual growth of an oxide layer which completely blocks the etching of the underlying Si. The size of this etch stop island was found to increase as a function of oxygen flow, while its thickness was dependent on the amount of Si etched. This suggests that the growth of the oxide layer mainly depends on the redeposition of non‐volatile etch products. The abrupt change in the etch rate as a function of oxygen fraction was not found back in the oxygen content of the plasma, suggesting the competitive nature between oxidation and chlorination at the wafer. Finally, the wafer and reactor wall compositions were investigated by modeling and it was found that the surface rapidly consisted mainly of SiO2 when the O2 flow was increased above about 15 sccm. magnified image
T‐shaped arrangement of the recombinant agrin G3 – IgG Fc protein
Authors: Patel Trushar R. , Meier Markus , Li Jianhua , Morris Gordon , Rowe Arthur J. , Stetefeld Jörg 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAgrin is a large heparin sulphate proteoglycan with multiple domains, which is located in the extracellular matrix. The C‐terminal G3 domain of agrin is functionally one of the most important domains. It harbors an α‐dystroglycan binding site and carries out acetylcholine receptor clustering activities. In the present study, we have fused the G3 domain of agrin to an IgG Fc domain to produce a G3‐Fc fusion protein that we intend to use as a tool to investigate new binding partners of agrin. As a first step of the study, we have characterized the recombinant fusion protein using a multidisciplinary approach using dynamic light scattering, analytical ultracentrifugation and small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS). Interestingly, our SAXS analysis using the high‐resolution structures of G3 and Fc domain as models indicates that the G3‐Fc protein forms a T‐shaped molecule with the G3 domains extruding perpendicularly from the Fc scaffold. To validate our models, we have used the program HYDROPRO to calculate the hydrodynamic properties of the solution models. The calculated values are in excellent agreement with those determined experimentally.
Benchmark study on glyphosate‐resistant cropping systems in the United States. Part 1: Introduction to 2006–2008
Authors: Shaw David R , Owen Micheal DK , Dixon Philip M , Weller Stephen C , Young Bryan G , Wilson Robert G , Jordan David L 
Published: March 2011

AbstractGlyphosate‐resistant (GR) crop technology has dramatically impacted agriculture. The adoption of GR systems in canola, maize, cotton, soybean and sugar beets has been widespread in the United States. However, weed scientists are concerned that growers' current herbicide programs and weed management tactics will affect their sustainability and effectiveness. Without proper management, the potential for weed populations to express a high degree of resistance to glyphosate will adversely impact the utility of glyphosate. In 2005, weed scientists from six universities initiated a long‐term research study to assess the sustainability of GR technology. This paper introduces five other articles in this series. Over 150 fields of at least 10 ha were selected to participate in a long‐term field‐scale study, and each field was split in half. On one‐half the grower continued using the current weed management program; on the other half the grower used academic‐recommended herbicide resistance best management practices. Field data were collected in 2006–2008 to determine the impact of the two weed management programs on weed populations, diversity, seedbank, crop yields and economic returns. This long‐term study will provide invaluable data for determining the sustainability and profitability of diversified weed management programs designed to lower the risk of evolving weed resistance to glyphosate. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Measuring the exciton diffusion length of C60 in organic planar heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Qin Dashan , Gu Peng , Dhar Rudra Sankar , Razavipour Seyed Ghasem , Ban Dayan 
Published: March 2011

AbstractPlanar copper phthalocyanine (CuPc)/C60 heterojunction solar cells with a 2 nm layer of bathocuproine (BCP) inserted into the C60 layer were fabricated and characterized. The 2 nm BCP layer in the devices was used as an electronically selective sieve allowing the electron current through but blocking the excitons in the C60 layer. By combining the experimental results with the optical modeling, the effective triplet exciton diffusion length in C60 was confirmed to be 30–35 nm under the device working condition. We demonstrate a simple, useful method to determine the exciton diffusion lengths of organic electron acceptors.
Direct synthesis of sp3‐hybridized BCN compound by high pressure and temperature
Authors: Li Xuefei , Yang Jinghai , Li Fangfei , Zhou Qiang , Zou Guangtian 
Published: March 2011

AbstractWell‐crystallized BCN compounds have been prepared from melamine (C3H6N6) and boron oxidation (B2O3) at pressures above 25 GPa and temperatures higher than 2500 K. The morphology of synthetic BCN samples was characterized transmission electron microscope. The atomic B/C/N ratio was determined by Electron energy‐loss spectroscopy (EELS). EELS studies indicated that the bonding of the BCN compound is in a sp3 configuration. The results indicated BCN compound may be a cubic structure.
Magnetic properties of SmxMn1−xS solid solutions
Authors: Aplesnin Sergei , Romanova Oxana , Ryabinkina Ludmila , Har'kov Alexandr , Eremin Evgenii , Velikanov Dmitrii , Solokov Vladimir , Pichugin Andrey , Demidenko Olga , Makovetskii Gennadii , Yanushkevich Kazimir 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe structural and magnetic properties of SmxMn1−xS (0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) solid solutions synthesized on the basis of an antiferromagnetic semiconductor α‐MnS are experimentally studied in the temperature range 4.2–300 K in magnetic fields up to 9 T. The magnetic hysteresis in Sm0.05Mn0.95S is observed in the magnetic fields 6 T < H < 9 T at low temperatures and linear magnetization dependence on field for compound with x = 0.2.
Vertically integrated nanogenerator based on ZnO nanowire arrays
Authors: Yu Aifang , Li Hongyu , Tang Haoying , Liu Tengjiao , Jiang Peng , Wang Zhong Lin 
Published: March 2011

AbstractWe report a technique to construct a vertically integrated nanogenerator (VI‐NG) based on ZnO nanowire (NW) arrays. The VI‐NG consists of nine single NGs connected mixed parallel and serial by a layer‐by‐layer stacking. For the single layer NG, the peak output voltage and current are 0.045 V and 2.5 nA, respectively. The VI‐NG produces an output power density of 2.8 nW/cm2 with a peak output voltage of 0.15 V and output current of 7.2 nA. The vertical integration of the multi‐NG provides a feasible technique for effectively converting mechanical energies to electricity from environment. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The role of πσ* states in the photochemistry of the chiral fluoroethylene derivative (4‐methylcyclohexylidene)fluoromethane
Authors: Kinzel Daniel , González‐Vázquez Jesús , González Leticia 
Published: March 2011

AbstractMulticonfigurational ab initio calculations of the excited states and potential energy curves of the chiral fluoroethylene derivative (4‐methylcyclohexylidene)fluoromethane provide evidence that πσ* states play an important role in the abstraction of HF. We show that more than the ground and valence ππ* states are necessary to correctly describe the relaxation of the title molecule upon excitation to the bright valence ππ* state. A conical intersection between the πσ* and ππ* states has been identified at the FC geometry which makes dissociation of HF in the electronic excited state possible. This conclusion is different from all the previous studies on ethylenic systems where dissociation is postulated as a ground state reaction. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 111:3394–3404, 2011
Robust adaptive learning control for nonlinear systems with extended matching unstructured uncertainties
Authors: Marino Riccardo , Tomei Patrizio , Verrelli Cristiano Maria 
Published: March 2011

SUMMARYThe exponential output tracking problem for a class of single‐input, single‐output uncertain nonlinear systems, including systems with extended matching unstructured uncertainties and without a well‐defined global relative degree, is addressed. Conditions on the uncertain system dynamics are derived, which allow us to design a state‐feedback learning control achieving semi‐global exponential output tracking of sufficiently smooth and periodic reference signals of known period, while guaranteeing ℒ︁2 and ℒ︁∞ transient performances during the learning phase. The application of the proposed learning approach to the position tracking control problem for uncertain permanent magnet step motors with non‐sinusoidal flux distribution and uncertain position‐dependent load torque allows us to provide a solution to a yet unsolved problem. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Razumikhin‐type theorems on general decay stability and robustness for stochastic functional differential equations
Authors: Wu Fuke , Hu Shigeng 
Published: March 2011

SUMMARYThis paper establishes Razumikhin‐type theorems on general decay stability for stochastic functional differential equations. This improves existing stochastic Razumikhin‐type theorems and can make us examine the stability with general decay rate in the sense of the pth moment and almost sure. These stabilities may be specialized as the exponential stability and the polynomial stability. When the almost sure stability is examined, the conditions of this paper may defy the linear growth condition for the drift term, which implies that the theorems of this paper can work for some cases to which the existing results cannot be applied. This paper also examines some sufficient criteria under which this stability is robust. To illustrate applications of our results clearly, this paper also gives two examples and examines the exponential stability and the polynomial stability, respectively. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stock returns in relation to environmental, social and governance performance: Mispricing or compensation for risk?
Authors: Mǎnescu Cristiana 
Published: March 2011

AbstractUsing detailed data on seven environmental, social and governance (ESG) attributes for a long panel of large publicly traded US firms during July 1992–June 2008, only community relations were found to have had a positive effect on risk‐adjusted stock returns, which effect was not compensation for risk but could be due to mispricing. Additionally, a changing effect of employee relations was found, from positive during July 1992–June 2003 to negative during July 2003–June 2008. The positive effect could be due to mispricing, whereas there is some evidence that the negative effect was compensation for low non‐sustainability risk. A weak negative effect of human rights and product safety indicators on risk‐adjusted stock returns in the more recent period was also found to be likely due to mispricing. The implications are that certain ESG attributes might be value relevant but they are not efficiently incorporated into stock prices. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Investigating consistency of judgement across sustainability analyst organizations
Authors: Hedesström Martin , Lundqvist Ulrika , Biel Anders 
Published: March 2011

AbstractWe compare seven major European and North American sustainability analyst organizations on how they rank‐order the same set of companies with regards to environmental performance. We also compare the analyst organizations' environmental rating schemes with regards to which evaluation criteria they include. Two industries are investigated: automobile and paper/forestry. Although there is fairly broad consensus on which automobile companies have the worst environmental performance, there is considerable disagreement about best‐performers. The pattern is less clear for paper/forestry companies. With some notable exceptions, and for both industries, all rating schemes contain evaluation criteria targeting those aspects of company performance associated, according to life‐cycle assessments, with the largest potential environmental impact. There are, however, significant divergences as to how many, and which, criteria of medium to low relevance are applied. Sustainability analyst organizations should make explicit to investors and evaluated companies on which theoretical and empirical grounds environmental evaluation criteria are selected. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Motives to engage in sustainable investment: a comparison between institutional and private investors
Authors: Jansson Magnus , Biel Anders 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe current study compares motives to invest in accordance with socially responsible criteria among different groups of investors. In total, 60 employees from 19 investment institutions, 453 private investors and 71 institutional investors participated in a questionnaire study. While socially responsible investment (SRI) among private and institutional investors was guided by self‐transcendent values (environmental and social values), this was not the case among fund managers working in investment institutions. Fund managers in investment institutions were affected by beliefs about long‐term returns of SRI. Private investors were, in addition, influenced by beliefs about long‐term returns, whereas institutional investors were motivated by an effort to reduce financial risks. Finally, investment institutions tended to overrate the importance of financial returns among their beneficiaries (private and institutional beneficiaries) and underestimate the importance of ethical, environmental and social aspects for beneficiaries. The results indicate that private and institutional investors/beneficiaries give a wider interpretation of fiduciary duty than investment institutions do. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Corporate social responsibility in the international insurance industry
Authors: Scholtens Bert 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThis paper investigates the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of insurance companies. Rating institutions provide costly information about firms' CSR and it is not clear how they arrive at their assessment. We use a transparent framework to assess the CSR of insurance companies. We apply this framework to different types of insurers (financial conglomerates, life insurance companies, mixed insurers, general insurers) for more than 150 institutions from 20 countries. We find significant differences between different types of insurers and between countries. The results also suggest that social and ethical aspects of CSR are better integrated in the business activities of insurers than environmental aspects are. Financial conglomerates perform better than other types of insurers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Molecular Recognition Force Spectroscopy: A New Tool to Tailor Targeted Nanoparticles
Authors: Oliveira Hugo , Rangl Martina , Ebner Andreas , Mayer Barbara , Hinterdorfer Peter , Pêgo Ana P. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe density of targeting moieties in a nanoparticle‐based gene‐delivery system has been shown to play a fundamental role in its vectoring performance. Here, molecular recognition force spectroscopy is proposed as a novel screening tool to optimize the density of targeting moieties of functionalized nanoparticles towards attaining cell‐specific interaction. By tailoring the nanoparticle formulation, the unbinding event probability between nanoparticles tethered to an atomic force microscopy tip and neuronal cells is directly correlated to the nanoparticle gene‐vectoring capacity. Additionally, new insights into protein–receptor interaction are revealed. This novel approach opens new avenues in the field of nanomedicine.
Stabilizing RNA by the Sonochemical Formation of RNA Nanospheres
Authors: Shimanovich Ulyana , Volkov Vadim , Eliaz Dror , Aizer Adva , Michaeli Shulamit , Gedanken Aharon 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBiological macromolecules, including DNA, RNA, and proteins, have intrinsic features that make them potential building blocks for the bottom‐up fabrication of nanodevices. Unlike DNA, RNA is a more versatile molecule whose range in the cell is from 21 to thousands of nucleotides and is usually folded into stem and loop structures. RNA is unique in nanoscale fabrication due to its diversity in size, function, and structure. Because gene expression analysis is becoming a clinical reality and there is a need to collect RNA in minute amounts from clinical samples, keeping the RNA intact is a growing challenge. RNA samples are notoriously difficult to handle because of their highly labile nature and tendency to degrade even under controlled RNase‐free conditions and maintenance in the cold. Silencing the RNA that induces the RNA interference is viewed as the next generation of therapeutics. The stabilization and delivery of RNA to cells are the major concerns in making siRNAs usable drugs. For the first time, ultrasonic waves are shown to convert native RNA molecules to RNA nanospheres. The creation of the nanobubbles is performed by a one‐step reaction. The RNA nanospheres are stable at room temperature for at least one month. Additionally, the nanospheres can be inserted into mammalian cancer cells (U2OS). This research achieves: 1) a solution to RNA storage; and 2) a way to convert RNA molecules to RNA particles. RNA nanosphere formation is a reversible process, and by using denaturing conditions, the RNA can be refolded into intact molecules.