bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microfungal‐community diversity in Zygophyllum dumosum and Hammada scoparia root zones in the northern Negev Desert
Authors: Yu Jun , Grishkan Isabella , Steinberger Yosef 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe soil dilution plate method was used to determine the influences of perennial shrubs on the species diversity and density of cultivable microfungal communities inhabiting the root zones of two perennial shrubs, Zygophyllum dumosum and Hammada scoparia, in the northern Negev Desert, Israel. Soil samples were collected under the canopies of shrubs and the open spaces between them (serving as control) from five depths (0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40, and 40–50 cm) during the wet and dry seasons of 2010. Fifty‐one species belonging to 31 genera were identified from Zygomycota, teleomorphic and anamorphic Ascomycota, including Coelomycetes. During the wet and dry seasons, 4–10 and 2–6 species were identified at different soil depths beneath perennial shrubs and in the open spaces, while the corresponding colony‐forming units (CFUs) varied from 3071 to 27687 and from 3201 to 15247 g−1 dry soil. More diverse microfungal communities were collected in the vicinity of perennial shrubs compared to the open spaces during the wet season, while a reverse trend was observed during the dry season. Further study is needed to provide insights into the correlation between compounds of litter and root exudates of perennial shrubs and microfungal‐community structure by a combination of molecular and physiological tools.
Effect of HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors on antimicrobial susceptibilities for Gram‐Negative rods
Authors: Farmer Aaron R. , Murray Clinton K. , Mende Katrin , Akers Kevin S. , Zera Wendy C. , Beckius Miriam L. , Yun Heather C. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractEpidemiologic evidence suggests a beneficial effect of HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) in sepsis, and in‐vitro data exist for antimicrobial activity of statins against some bacteria and fungi. We examined whether statin exposure at physiologic concentrations enhances activity of selected antimicrobials against Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. Broth microdilution was performed with and without dose‐ranging concentrations of lovastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin. No effects on antimicrobial activity were demonstrated.
Bioaugmented composting of Jatropha de‐oiled cake and vegetable waste under aerobic and partial anaerobic conditions
Authors: Chaturvedi Shivani , Kumar Ashwani , Singh Balraj , Nain Lata , Joshi Monica , Satya Santosh 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThis study was conducted to assess the effect of microbial inoculation in Jatropha cake composting with different vegetable waste. The microbial inoculums composed of fungal strains (Aspergillus awamori, Aspergillus nidulans, Trichoderma viride, Phanerochaete chrysosporium) and bacterial inoculums (Pseudomonas striata as phosphorus solublizer and Azotobacter chroococcum as nitrogen fixer) were added to the compost mixture after the thermophilic phase was over for bioaugmenting of Jatropha cake under aerobic and partial anaerobic conditions. Addition of both fungal and bacterial inoculum with mixed substrate (Jatropha cake + vegetable waste) during composting (aerobic and partial anaerobic) showed, better results as compared to compost with only fungal inoculants. Increased enzymatic activity initially, during composting (like dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase activity and FDA) proved role of inoculated microbes in rapid decomposition. Analysis of compost (with both bacterial and fungal inoculum) showed presence of high humus (12.7%), humic acid (0.5%), fulvic acid (5.68%), soluble protein content and low C/N ratio. Decreased in concentration of extractable metals (Cu, Fe and Mn) were recorded at maturity in all the substrate composts. The C/N ratio was significantly correlated to parameters like humic acid, humus, fulvic acid, protein and also microbial activity parameters. We conclude that the composting of de‐oiled Jatropha cake with different vegetables waste could be feasible and sustainable approach in recycling of agricultural and industrial residues in huge quantities.
Anoxybacillus kaynarcensis sp. nov., a moderately thermophilic, xylanase producing bacterium
Authors: Inan Kadriye , Belduz Ali Osman , Canakci Sabriye 
Published: June 2012

AbstractA novel moderately thermophilic, Gram‐positive, endospore‐forming, rod‐shaped, motile bacteria and alkaline active xylanase producing strain D1021T, was isolated from Kaynarca hot spring in the province of Izmir, Turkey and was characterized in order to determine its phylogenetic position. Growth was observed at 35–70 °C (optimum 60 °C), at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum pH 7.0). The strain D1021T grew on a wide range of carbon sources including ribose, xylose, glucose, maltose, sucrose, arabinose, and melibiose. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK‐7. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain D1021T is related to members of genus Anoxybacillus, with similarities to Anoxybacillus spp. varying from 94.7 to 98.7. The major fatty acids of strain D1021T were iso‐C15:0 (57.46%) and iso‐C17:0 (13.98%). The DNA G + C content was 42.9 mol %. DNA–DNA relatedness values between Anoxybacillus spp. and D1021T were lower than 70%. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics, rpoB analysis, phylogenetic and DNA–DNA hybridization data, it was proposed that the strain D1021T (= DSM 21706T = LMG 25303T) should be placed in the genus Anoxybacillus as the type strain of a novel species, Anoxybacillus kaynarcensis sp. nov. The GenBank accession number for the 16S rRNA sequence is EU926955.
Exploring nutritional modes of cultivation for enhancing lipid accumulation in microalgae
Authors: Ratha Sachitra Kumar , Babu Santosh , Renuka Nirmal , Prasanna Radha , Prasad Rachapudi Badari Narayana , Saxena Anil Kumar 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe objective of this study was to identify the most promising nutritional mode of growth for enhanced biomass and lipid productivity in a set of twenty microalgal strains, grown under photoautotrophic and mixotrophic/heterotrophic conditions using 2% glucose as carbon source. These included four cyanobacterial strains (Cyanosarcina, Phormidium, Nostoc and Anabaena) and sixteen green algae belonging to six genera (five strains each of Chlorella and Chlorococcum, two of Scenedesmus and one each of Chlamydomonas, Kirchneria, Bracteacoccus and Ulothrix). Lipid productivity ranged from 2–13% under photoautotrophic conditions, 1.7–32% under mixotrophic conditions and 0.9–20% under heterotrophic conditions. MIC‐G5 Chlorella sp. followed by MIC‐G11 Chlorella sp. exhibited the highest cellular lipid content (355 and 271 μg/ml) and lipid productivity of 32% and 28% respectively in mixotrophic condition. In the glucose supplemented conditions (heterotrophic), a significant reduction in PUFA from 25.1 to 9.4, 29.2 to 12.4 and 44.7 to 10.2 was observed in MIC‐G4, MIC‐G5 and MIC‐G11, respectively. A remarkable enhancement of 33–70% in SFA was recorded under mixotrophic conditions. As the quality of biodiesel is based on high SFA and low PUFA, our results illustrate the significance of glucose supplemented condition as a promising strategy for generating high value biodiesel from algae.
Study of the siderophore‐producing Trichoderma asperellum Q1 on cucumber growth promotion under salt stress
Authors: Qi Weizhen , Zhao Lei 
Published: June 2012

AbstractTrichoderma spp. are versatile beneficial fungi which can stimulate growth and plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, the potential of Trichoderma isolate in promoting the cucumber growth under salt stress and its possible mechanisms were investigated. Strain Q1 was isolated from the rhizosphere of cucumber in greenhouse in China and identified as Trichoderma asperellum based on its morphological features and the molecular phylogenetic analyses. It exhibited some plant growth‐promoting attributes of phosphate solubilization, 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity, auxin and siderophore production. In pot trials, applying strain Q1 to cucumber plant had significantly promoted seedlings growth and alleviated the growth suppression induced by salt stress as confirmed by the changes in growth phenotype and several biochemical and physiological parameters. In solution culture experiments, the growth of cucumber seedlings was increased and the percentage of wilted cucumber seedlings was decreased in the treatment of siderophore‐containing culture filtrate (SCF) of strain Q1 with insoluble Fe3+ under salt stress. These results indicated that T. asperellum Q1 has a real potential to enhance cucumber growth by inducing physiological protection under saline stress, and its siderophores showed sign of alleviating negative effect of salinity and available iron deficiency.
HBV regulated RhoC expression in HepG2.2.15 cells by enhancing its promoter activity
Authors: Tian Yuanyuan , Liu Yunzhi , Qu Jialin , Li Kai , Qin Dongdong , Huang Ailong , Tang Hua 
Published: June 2012

AbstractMany studies showed that RhoC‐GTPases are central molecules in oncogenic transformation. The expression of RhoC is significantly increased in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV is the major risk factor for HCC. However, it is unknown whether HBV regulating RhoC expression. In this study, we showed the RhoC expression was significantly higher in HepG2.2.15 than that in HepG2 cells. HBV could up‐regulate RhoC expression through enhancing the activity of its promoter, and HBs and HBx may involve in this process. After silencing HBs and HBx expressions by using RNA interference, the expression of RhoC in HepG2.2.15 cells could be obviously inhibited. These results would provide useful information for understanding mechanism of HCC induced by HBV infection.
The stability and activity of recombinant Helicobacter pylori HtrA under stress conditions
Authors: Hoy Benjamin , Brandstetter Hans , Wessler Silja 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe bifunctional protein HtrA displays chaperone and protease activities, enabling bacteria to cope with environmental stress conditions such as heat shock or extreme pH by orchestrating protein folding or degradation. Recently, we added a novel aspect to HtrA functions by identifying HtrA of the human pathogen and class I carcinogen Helicobacter pylori (Hp) as a secreted virulence factor that cleaves the cell adhesion molecule and tumor suppressor E‐cadherin. In this study, we analyzed the structural integrity and activity of oligomeric HtrA from Hp under stress conditions. Examining different parameters, HtrA oligomers were investigated by casein zymography and HtrA activity was further analyzed in in vitro cleavage assays using E‐cadherin as a substrate. HtrA showed temperature‐dependent disintegration of oligomers. Denaturing agents targeting hydrogen bonds within HtrA destabilized HtrA oligomers while reducing agents disrupting disulfide bonds had no effect. Optimal proteolytic activity was dependent on a neutral pH; however, addition of mono‐ and divalent salts or reducing agents did not interfere with proteolytic activity. These data indicate the HtrA is active under stress conditions which might support Hp colonizing in the gastric environment.
Learning to live with black bears: A psychological model of acceptance
Authors: Zajac Ryan M. , Bruskotter Jeremy T. , Wilson Robyn S. , Prange Suzanne 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe reappearance and recovery of large carnivores in human‐dominated landscapes creates a need to understand how people will respond to the presence of these animals. We tested a psychological model of acceptance to determine what variables most influence people's acceptance for black bears (Ursus americanus) in an area with an emerging black bear population (Ohio, USA). We hypothesized that people's perceptions of risk and benefit related to bears would mediate the effect of trust (in wildlife management agencies) and personal control (over interactions with and management of wildlife) on acceptance for black bears. We used a mail‐back survey of Ohio residents (n = 9,400; adjusted response rate = 35%) to assess the variables of interest and test the hypothesized model. Based on multiple criteria of model fit, the hypothesized model fit the data acceptably well. The model explained approximately 62% of the variance in acceptance, and perception of risk associated with black bears had the largest impact on the level of acceptance. As large carnivore populations expand and interactions with humans increase, our results will aid managers in designing outreach materials and communications aimed at promoting acceptance for large carnivores. Our model suggests that interventions raising an individual's social trust in the managing agency, or personal control can indirectly raise stakeholders' acceptance by reducing risk perception and increasing perception of benefit from carnivores. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Comparison of whole body positron emission tomography (PET)/PET‐computed tomography and conventional anatomic imaging for detecting distant malignancies in patients with head and neck cancer: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Xu Guozeng , Li Junkai , Zuo Xiaoyan , Li Chunyan 
Published: July 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:We aimed to compare the accuracy of whole body positron emission tomography (PET)/PET‐computed tomography (CT) and conventional anatomic imaging for detecting distant malignancies in patients with head and neck cancer.Study Design:Meta‐Analysis.Methods:We performed a meta‐analysis of all available studies. We compared the performance of whole body PET/PET‐CT with that of conventional anatomic imaging by analyzing studies that had also used conventional anatomic imaging on the same patients.Results:Across eight studies (1,147 patients), sensitivity and specificity of PET/PET‐CT were 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76–0.88) and 0.96 (95% CI, 0.94–0.97), respectively, and for conventional anatomic imaging were 0.44 (95% CI, 0.29–0.61) and 0.96 (95% CI, 0.88–0.98), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that PET/PET‐CT had higher sensitivity than conventional anatomic imaging for nasopharyngeal cancer (0.82 vs. 0.30) and non‐nasopharyngeal head and neck cancer (0.85 vs. 0.62).Conclusions:Compared with conventional anatomic imaging, whole body PET/PET‐CT has excellent diagnostic performance for detecting distant malignancies in patients with head and neck cancer.
The phenotypic spectrum of dystonia in Mohr–Tranebjaerg syndrome
Authors: Ha Ainhi D. , Parratt Kaitlyn L. , Rendtorff Nanna D. , Lodahl Marianne , Ng Karl , Rowe Dominic B. , Sue Carolyn M. , Hayes Michael W. , Tranebjærg Lisbeth , Fung Victor S.C. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractMohr–Tranebjaerg syndrome (MTS) is an X‐linked recessive disorder characterized by deafness and dystonia. However the phenotypic expression of dystonia has not been systematically defined. We report clinical, neurophysiological, and ophthalmological data on 6 subjects from 3 Australian kindreds, including 2 with novel mutations, together with a systematic review of the literature, in order to define the phenotypic expression of dystonia. Profound hearing impairment in affected males develops by infancy and precedes the development of dystonia, which varies in time of onset from the first to the sixth decades, with a peak in the second and third decades. Dystonia in MTS tends to be focal, segmental, or multifocal in distribution at onset, with a predilection for the upper body, variably involving the head, neck, and upper limbs. The majority of patients have progression or generalization of their dystonia regardless of age of onset. Within our 3 kindreds, we observed relative intrafamilial homogeneity but interfamilial variation. The median time to the development of moderate‐severely disabling dystonia in these subjects was 11 years. Associated features included progressive cognitive decline, pyramidal signs, and in 1 patient, gait freezing and postural instability. Optic atrophy and cortical visual impairment were both observed. We report for the first time a female patient who developed multiple disabling neurological complications of MTS. Our findings more clearly define and expand the phenotype of both the dystonia and other neurological features of MTS and have implications for the diagnosis and management of this condition. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Comparative Occupancy Analysis (CoOAn) – A Straightforward and Directly Applicable 3D‐QSAR Formalism to Extract Molecular Features Obligatory for Designing Potent Leads
Authors: Verma Jitender , Malde Alpeshkumar , Khedkar Santosh , Coutinho Evans 
Published: June 2012

AbstractA simple and directly applicable 3D‐QSAR method, termed Comparative Occupancy Analysis (CoOAn), has been developed. The method is based on the comparison of local occupancies of fragments of an aligned set of molecules in a 3D‐grid space. The formalism commendably extracts the crucial position‐specific molecular features and correlates them quantitatively to their biological endpoints. The method has been effectively applied and efficaciously validated on three large and diverse datasetsthrombin, glycogen phosphorylase b (GPB), and thermolysin inhibitors. Several robust and statistically significant predictive 3D‐QSAR models were developed while simultaneously considering the influence of grid spacing on the accuracy of the results. The models, generated by the G/PLS chemometric method, not only unswervingly identified the obligatory chemical features but advantageously detected those that are unfavourable or detrimental for the molecular activity. The CoOAn models can profitably be used to optimize existing molecules as well as to design new leads with more desirable (and/or less detrimental) features. The activity‐modulating features (together with their distance‐constraints) extracted by the methodology can also be incorporated into a pharmacophore‐type query to search a chemical database for novel leads.
Voluntary contributions and wages in nonprofit organizations
Authors: Pennerstorfer Astrid , Trukeschitz Birgit 
Published: June 2012

AbstractVoluntary work provides a major source of labor for many nonprofit organizations. Consequences of volunteers and paid staff working alongside each other in nonprofits are well documented. This article contributes to this strand of literature and investigates whether the presence of volunteer work influences paid employees' wages in nonprofit organizations. We estimated a multilevel wage equation accounting for personal characteristics of workers and characteristics of nonprofits. The analysis revealed that nonprofit organizations engaging volunteers pay lower wages to their employees. Our findings contribute to the understanding of wage‐setting behavior of nonprofits and improve the methodological approach of empirical research in this field.
Anthradithiophene–thiophene copolymers with broad UV–vis absorption for organic solar cells and field‐effect transistors
Authors: Kong Hoyoul , Heum Park Sung , Cho Nam Sung , Cho Shinuk , Shim Hong‐Ku 
Published: June 2012

AbstractNew semiconducting copolymers, poly((TIPS‐ADT)‐(4,4′‐didodecyl‐2,2′‐bithiophene)) (PTADT2) and poly((TIPS‐ADT)‐(2,2′‐(4,4′‐didodecyl‐2,2′‐bithiophene)dithiophene)) (PTADT4), produced by incorporating 5,11‐bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl) anthra[2,3‐b:7,6‐b']dithiophene (TIPS‐ADT) and alkyl‐thiophene derivatives were synthesized via Stille coupling polymerization. The optical, electrochemical, structural, field‐effect transistor, and solar cell properties of the polymers were investigated. The polymers showed good solubility at room temperature in common organic solvents due to their abundant side groups including TIPS and dodecyl side chains. Both polymers showed very broad UV absorption spectra covering the spectral range from 300 to 750 nm as a result of the combination of the different absorption ranges of the TIPS‐ADT unit (short wavelength region) and thiophene derivatives (long wavelength region). The FET device fabricated using PTADT4 containing additional unsubstituted thiophene rings as a spacer between TIPS‐ADT and thiophene derivatives showed a higher hole mobility (5.7 × 10−4 cm2/V s) than the PTADT2 device (2.8 × 10−5 cm2/V s), due to the improved intermolecular ordering caused by the reduced steric hindrance between bulky side chain groups. In addition, the PTADT4:(6,6)‐phenyl‐C70‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC70BM) device showed an enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.30% compared with the PTADT2:PC70BM device (PCE of 0.55%) under AM 1.5G irradiation (100 mW/cm2). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of 1‐Methyl‐2,4,5‐trinitroimidazole
Authors: Ravi Pasupala , Tewari Surya P. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe synthesis of 1‐methyl‐2,4,5‐trinitroimidazole (6) in good yields starting from imidazole (1) via nitrodeiodination under microwave irradiation is reported herein. The synthesized compounds were characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and CHN analyses.
Preparation of Fe/Al Composites with Enhanced Thermal Properties by Chemical Liquid Deposition Methods
Authors: Du Rong , Hu Mulin , Xie Changsheng , Zeng Dawen 
Published: June 2012

AbstractCore‐shell Fe/Al composites were successfully prepared by chemical liquid deposition with iron carbonyl [Fe(CO)5] as precursor and kerosine as oil phase medium. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffractometer (XRD), and simultaneous thermogravimetry‐differential thermal analysis (TG‐DTA) were employed to characterize the samples and assess their thermal properties. The results indicated that the aluminum core was coated compactly by an iron layer and the the oxidation kinetics of the obtained composite powders showed a significant improvement compared to pure aluminum powders. The thermal reactivity of Fe/Al composites with oxygen is obviously higher than those of pure aluminum powders, which means that after coating much more heat can be released in the same temperature range and the heat release happens faster and more concentrated. On the basis of the results, a possible formation of the coating is proposed and a thermal reaction mechanism is also discussed.
A New Approach to the Application of Molecular Surface Electrostatic Potential in the Study of Detonation
Authors: Zeman Svatopluk , Friedl Zdeněk 
Published: June 2012

AbstractIn a sample of 22 nitramines, the simplest features of surface electrostatic potentials (SEPs), their positive (VS,max) and negative (VS,min) extremes, are related to their detonation velocities, D, at maximal theoretical densities. The relationships between the VS,min and D values logically show the nitramino group as responsible for detonation initiation for these compounds. On the other hand, the VS,max values gave complicated relationships. As a criterion of the imbalance between the VS,max and VS,min extremes their sum was derived and used as a new simple characteristic of SEPs, VS,Σ. The VS,Σ values have close relationships with the D values and the corresponding relationships uniquely determine the nitramino grouping as a reactivity center for detonation of nitramines. This new criterion is shown to be the best SEP characteristic for the study of detonation initiation. In all the relationships mentioned in this study of nitramines, the increase in potentials and/or their sum correspond with an increase in the D values (energy content of molecules).