bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Laser biotechnology for more efficient bioremediation, protection of aquatic ecosystems and reclamation of contaminated areas
Authors: Dobrowolski Jan W , Śliwka Malgorzata , Mazur Robert 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: The results of field long‐term experiments (initiated by the first author) showed that laser photostimulation could significantly increase the adaptability of different plant species (the willow Salix sp., elephant grass Miscanthus giganteus, Virginian mallow Sida hermaphrodita, common reed Phragmites australis, etc.) to contaminated environment. The attempts to increase the bioremediation efficiency of contaminated soil and water were made with the application of laser biotechnology. An optimal algorithm of laser biostimulation for selected biological materials for more efficient bioremendiation of selected pollutants was verified by sensitive biotests.RESULTS: Laser irradiation of hydrophytes Lemna minor accelerated the phytoremediation of phosphorus and nitrogen compounds from wastewater and increased the surface area of the duckweed and biomass production. Ecological efficiency of innovative bioremediation versus traditional methods could be tested using computer‐based image analysis of selected components of aquatic ecosystems (e.g. Lemna sp., Lymnaea stagnalis, Daphnia sp., Hydra sp.) and highly sensitive to different pollutants juvenile stages of the tested animals.CONCLUSIONS: Such an innovative bioremediation method and biotests would be useful for verification of new bioremediation methods and for better reproduction of biological resources and efficient protection of biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Understanding the detrimental effect of nitrate presence on EBPR systems: effect of the plant configuration
Authors: Guerrero Javier , Tayà Carlota , Guisasola Albert , Baeza Juan A. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe interaction between enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EPBR) and biological nitrogen removal may result in EBPR failure in full‐scale wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This work studies one of the common causes of this failure: the presence of nitrate in the anaerobic phase, which may act as an inhibitor for polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAO) activity or may activate the competition between PAO and denitrifying bacteria for the carbon source. Several batch experiments were performed with different carbon sources (acetic acid, propionic acid and sucrose) at different nitrate concentrations using PAO‐enriched sludge from two different pilot plants: an anaerobic/aerobic sequential batch reactor (SBR) and an anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic (A2/O) continuous plant. The results imply that the operational conditions of the A2/O pilot plant selected a PAO population capable of i) coexisting with nitrate without an inhibitory effect and ii) outcompeting denitrifying bacteria for the carbon source, in contrast to the SBR pilot plant where nitrate had an inhibitory effect on EBPR. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Amylase production by Aspergillus oryzae in a solid‐state bioreactor with fed‐batch operation using mussel processing wastewaters as feeding medium
Authors: Torrado Ana , Vázquez José‐Antonio , Prieto Miguel‐Ángel , Fuciños Pablo , Montemayor María‐Ignacia , Pastrana Lorenzo , González María‐Pilar , Murado Miguel‐Ángel 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: The high oxygen availability in solid‐state cultures makes them especially suitable for fungal enzyme production. Glycogen‐rich mussel processing wastewaters have been used successfully as substrates for amylase production by Aspegillus oryzae in solid‐state cultures supported in polyurethane foam. The aim of this work was to study the fed‐batch mode in a scalable solid‐state bioreactor to extend the productive period and obtain high amylase production. Culture salinization due to the NaCl content of these wastewaters is the main drawback.RESULTS: Evaporation of the excess liquid added during feeding led to progressive salt accumulation. The effect of culture salinization on amylase production was analysed and mathematically modelled, and the IC50 (65.4 g L−1 of NaCl) was calculated. An optimum operation mode for this bioreactor was designed that included foam extrusion for removing the incubated medium, washing and a final recharge with fresh medium every 72 h of incubation. This procedure kept the salt concentration under IC50 and increased the amylase production from 3000 to 12 000 UE g−1.CONCLUSION: An operating mode with intermittent extrusions and washings of the support between feedings was found to be an appropriate procedure for preventing the accumulation of inhibitory compounds in fed‐batch solid‐state cultures. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
The effect of delay between heat treatment and cold storage on alleviation of chilling injury in banana fruit
Authors: Wang Haibo , Zhang Zhaoqi , Xu Lanying , Huang Xuemei , Pang Xuequn 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: To understand the mechanisms leading to the enhanced chilling resistance of banana by hot‐water dipping (HWD, 52 °C for 3 min), we investigated the effect of a 0.5–24 h delay between HWD and cold storage on chilling resistance and the change related to the metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS).RESULTS: The HWD‐treated fruit with a delay of less than 6 h exhibited markedly less chilling injury than the non‐heated control fruit, while a delay more than 6 h resulted in significant loss in chilling resistance. Increased hydrogen peroxide content and rate of superoxide radical production were detected in the fruit at 0.5–1.5 h after HWD treatment, and the levels declined with a longer delay, which may be correlated with the enhanced gene expression levels of the gene coding for a ROS‐generating related enzyme, NADPH oxidase (MaNOX). Enhanced activities and gene expression of an ascorbate peroxidase (MaAPX) were recorded in the fruit at 1.5–6 h after the treatment, and after 6 h the ascorbate peroxidase levels decayed to the levels as the control fruit. The higher APX gene expression was maintained in the treated fruit with a 3 h delay during the subsequent cold storage at 7 °C, correlating with the enhanced chilling resistance.CONCLUSION: The HWD‐treated fruit left at ambient temperature up to 6 h prior to cold storage maintained the effect of heat treatment and transiently increased ROS content, and the ascorbate peroxidase activity that occurred 0.5–6 h after the treatment may be correlated with the elevated chilling resistance induced by HWD treatment. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Long‐term high animal protein diet reduces body weight gain and insulin secretion in diet‐induced obese rats
Authors: Chen Haiyan , Wang Yiling , Ma Lichuan , Zhao Jiajun , Li Yinyin , Li Minglong 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: The effects of a high protein diet on insulin secretion and glucose metabolism have been quite controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of long‐term isocaloric high animal protein intake on insulin secretion in diet‐induced obese rats.RESULTS: After the experimental period (24 weeks), the high‐fat diet‐induced obese rats that were fed isocaloric high‐protein diets (HP) had lower body weight gain (P < 0.01) and lower visceral fat (P < 0.05) than normal protein (NP) rats. Fasting plasma glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) was also reduced significantly (P < 0.05), as well as serum insulin levels at 5 min and 10 min by intravenous insulin releasing test. In addition, insulin mRNA and pancreatic duodenal homeodomain‐1 (PDX‐1), GLP‐1 protein expression were both markedly lower in HP rats (P < 0.05), while PDX‐1 mRNA in HP rats had no difference from NP rats.CONCLUSION: These results suggest that long‐term isocaloric high animal protein intake reduces the acute insulin response in obese rats and the decrease of insulin is associated with both reduced weight gain and inhibition of PDX‐1 expression. GLP‐1 might be a negative feedback for the balance of energy metabolism secondary to changes of body weight and visceral fat. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
SOIL ORGANIC CARBON STOCK AND FRACTIONS IN RELATION TO LAND USE AND SOIL DEPTH IN THE DEGRADED SHIWALIKS HILLS OF LOWER HIMALAYAS
Authors: Debasish‐Saha  , Kukal S.S. , Bawa S.S. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTThe proportional differences in soil organic carbon (SOC) and its fractions under different land uses are of significance for understanding the process of aggregation and soil carbon sequestration mechanisms. A study was conducted in a mixed vegetation cover watershed with forest, grass, cultivated and eroded lands in the degraded Shiwaliks of the lower Himalayas to assess land‐use effects on profile SOC distribution and storage and to quantify the SOC fractions in water‐stable aggregates (WSA) and bulk soils. The soil samples were collected from eroded, cultivated, forest and grassland soils for the analysis of SOC fractions and aggregate stability. The SOC in eroded surface soils was lower than in less disturbed grassland, cultivated and forest soils. The surface and subsurface soils of grassland and forest lands differentially contributed to the total profile carbon stock. The SOC stock in the 1.05‐m soil profile was highest (83.5 Mg ha−1) under forest and lowest (55.6 Mg ha−1) in eroded lands. The SOC stock in the surface (0–15 cm) soil constituted 6.95, 27.6, 27 and 42.4 per cent of the total stock in the 1.05‐m profile of eroded, cultivated, forest and grassland soils, respectively. The forest soils were found to sequester 22.4 Mg ha−1 more SOC than the cultivated soils as measured in the 1.05‐m soil profiles. The differences in aggregate SOC content among the land uses were more conspicuous in bigger water‐stable macro‐aggregates (WSA > 2 mm) than in water‐stable micro‐aggregates (WSA < 0.25 mm). The SOC in micro‐aggregates (WSA < 0.25 mm) was found to be less vulnerable to changes in land use. The hot water soluble and labile carbon fractions were higher in the bulk soils of grasslands than in the individual aggregates, whereas particulate organic carbon was higher in the aggregates than in bulk soils. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Facile Fabrication of Thermo‐Responsive and Reduction‐Sensitive Polymeric Micelles for Anticancer Drug Delivery
Authors: Jiang Xulin , Li Lihua , Liu Jia , Hennink Wim E. , Zhuo Renxi 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe development of thermo‐responsive and reduction‐sensitive polymeric micelles based on an amphiphilic block copolymer poly[(PEG‐MEMA)‐co‐(Boc‐Cyst‐MMAm)]‐block‐PEG (denoted PEG‐P‐SS‐HP) for the intracellular delivery of anticancer drugs is reported. PTX, as model drug, was loaded into the PEG‐P‐SS‐HP micelles with an encapsulation efficiency >90%, resulting in a high drug loading content (up to 35 wt%). The PTX‐loaded PEG‐P‐SS‐HP micelles show slow drug release in PBS and rapid release after incubation with DTT. The PTX‐loaded micelles display a better cytotoxic effect than the free drug, whereas empty micelles are found to be non‐toxic. The thermo‐responsive and reduction‐sensitive polymeric micelles described may serve as promising carriers for cytostatic drugs.magnified image
Fine Tuning of Vesicle Assembly and Properties Using Dual Hydrophilic Triblock Copolypeptides
Authors: Rodriguez April R. , Choe Uh‐Joo , Kamei Daniel T. , Deming Timothy J. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe design, synthesis, and self‐assembly of the first dual hydrophilic triblock copolypeptide vesicles, ${\rm R}_{m}^{{\rm H}} {\rm E}_{n} {\rm L}_{o} $ and ${\rm K}_{m}^{{\rm P}} {\rm R}_{n}^{{\rm H}} {\rm L}_{o} $, is reported. Variation of the two distinct hydrophilic domains is used to tune cellular interactions without disrupting the self‐assembled structure. The aqueous self‐assemblies of these triblock copolypeptides in water are characterized using microscopy and DLS. Cell culture studies are used to evaluate cytotoxicity as well as intracellular uptake of the vesicles. The ability of polypeptides to incorporate ordered chain conformations that direct self‐assembly, combined with the facile preparation of functional, multiblock copolypeptide sequences of defined lengths, allow the design of vesicles attractive for development as drug carriers.magnified image
An approximate Herbrand’s theorem and definable functions in metric structures
Authors: Goldbring Isaac 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWe develop a version of Herbrand's theorem for continuous logic and use it to prove that definable functions in infinite‐dimensional Hilbert spaces are piecewise approximable by affine functions. We obtain similar results for definable functions in Hilbert spaces expanded by a group of generic unitary operators and Hilbert spaces expanded by a generic subspace. We also show how Herbrand's theorem can be used to characterize definable functions in absolutely ubiquitous structures from classical logic.
Weak convergence of spectral shift functions for one‐dimensional Schrödinger operators
Authors: Gesztesy Fritz , Nichols Roger 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWe study the manner in which spectral shift functions associated with self‐adjoint one‐dimensional Schrödinger operators on the finite interval (0, R) converge in the infinite volume limit R → ∞ to the half‐line spectral shift function. Relying on a Fredholm determinant approach combined with certain measure theoretic facts, we show that prior vague convergence results in the literature in the special case of Dirichlet boundary conditions extend to the notion of weak convergence and arbitrary separated self‐adjoint boundary conditions at x = 0 and x = R.
Truncated Hamburger moment problem for an operator measure with compact support
Authors: Arlinskiĭ Yury 
Published: April 2012

AbstractGiven bounded selfadjoint operators \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$F_1=I_{\mathfrak N}$\end{document}, F2, …, F2n + 1 in a separable Hilbert space \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$\mathfrak N$\end{document}, we consider the operator truncated Hamburger moment problem of finding a Herglotz‐Nevanlinna operator‐valued function M holomorphic in the neighborhood of infinity and having the form

Criteria of the solvability and uniqueness of the solution are established and a description of all solutions is obtained. Our approach is based on the Schur transformation, the Schur parameters, and the special block operator Jacobi matrices.
Are Consumer and Brand Personalities the Same?
Authors: Huang Hazel H. , Mitchell Vincent‐Wayne , Rosenaum‐Elliott Richard 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTCurrent discussions of brand personality refer to a personified brand image, that is, a brand image that can possess any attributes of consumers, rather than brand personality. From a conceptual and methodological critique of the literature, this paper applies the definition of personality to brand personality, and tests the idea using a peer‐rating methodology that focuses on each individual's perception of a brand (the brand × subject structure). The results reveal that consumers reflect their personalities by the brands they use, but the relationship between brand choice and symbolic dimensions (i.e., extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, and openness to experience) is much stronger than the relationship with functional dimensions (i.e., conscientiousness). Moreover, the pattern of this relationship remains consistent across symbolic and utilitarian products, which implies that consumers choose brands with similar personalities to theirs across various products. The study concludes that an abridged personality scale, based on the Big Five, can be applied to both brands and consumers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Moderating Influence of Broad‐Scope Trust on Customer–Seller Relationships
Authors: Hansen Torben 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTTrust relates not only to customer trust in individual companies (i.e., narrow‐scope trust) but also to the broader business context in which customer–seller relationships may develop (i.e., broad‐scope trust [BST]). Based on two surveys comprising 1155 bank consumers and 817 insurance consumers, respectively, this study investigates the moderating influence of BST on relationships between satisfaction, narrow‐scope trust, and loyalty and also examines the direct influence of BST on these variables. The results indicate that whereas BST negatively moderates relationships between satisfaction and narrow‐scope trust and between narrow‐scope trust and loyalty, BST positively moderates the relationship between satisfaction and loyalty. In addition, it is demonstrated that BST positively influences customer satisfaction and narrow‐scope trust. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interpersonal Relationship, Service Quality, Seller Expertise: How Important Are They to Adolescent Consumers?
Authors: Wan Wendy W. N. , Luk Chung‐Leung , Fam Kim‐Shyan , Wu Peiguan , Chow Cheris W. C. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTDrawing upon social capital theory and psychosocial development theory, this paper argues that a true buyer–seller relationship is a key determinant of favorable consumer behaviors for adolescent consumers of hairstylist services. Other important determinants include quality of the service delivery process (i.e., service quality as measured by the five SERVQUAL factors) and quality of the core service (in this case, the hairstylist's expertise). A survey of 350 adolescent consumers confirms these predictions. It shows that a true interpersonal relationship negatively moderates the positive effects of service quality on consumer satisfaction with, and overall assessment of the hairstylist. This negative moderating effect is labeled resource substitution benefit and the argument made that this is the fourth social capital benefit. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Revisiting Perceived Risk in the Context of Online Shopping: An Alternative Perspective of Decision‐Making Styles
Authors: Chang Man‐Ling , Wu Wann‐Yih 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTThis study attempts to elaborate the consequences of perceived risk by taking the moderating effects of decision‐making style (i.e., involvement vs. heuristics) into account in the context of online shopping. The integrated model is tested repeatedly in diverse purchasing situations with different Web presentation styles and product categories. The findings indicate that perceived risk toward the Web site/product influences purchasing intention through cognition‐ and affect‐based attitudes. Moreover, the moderating effects of decision‐making style on the relationship between perceived risk and its consequences are conditional. Since perceived risk appears very crucial for promoting online shopping, the results of this study may provide an influential reference for academicians and practitioners when considering the role of perceived risk in Web site marketing. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Solidified Liquid Layer Model Expands the Application Fields of Quartz Crystal Microbalance
Authors: Fu Long , Chen Yanyan , Ma Hongwei 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe application of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) in liquid is hindered by the complexity of data analysis. Recently, a “solidified liquid layer” (SLL) model has been proposed to simplify the data analysis. Here, missing evidence to support the SLL model is provided: 1) the SLL model is responsive to the density change of the liquid environment, 2) thickness values from the SLL model (TSLL) are in agreement with values measured by ellipsometry. The SLL model predicts that a 0.18 nm change of TSLL will lead to a 1 Hz signal, which is the resolution that most commercial QCMs could easily achieve. Using the SLL model, Au–S bond breakage has been successful. Biosensor applications are also being designed according to the SLL model. It is believed that with these results, the SLL model will bring QCM back to the radar screen of scientists.
Formation of a Polypseudorotaxane via Self‐Assembly of γ‐Cyclodextrin with Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)
Authors: Wang Jin , Li Shuo , Ye Lin , Zhang Ai‐Ying , Feng Zeng‐Guo 
Published: April 2012

AbstractA polypseudorotaxane (PPR) comprising γ‐cyclodextrin (γ‐CD) as host molecules and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) as a guest polymer is prepared via self‐assembly in aqueous solution. Due to the bulky pendant isopropylamide group, PNIPAM exhibits size‐selectivity toward self‐assembly with α‐, β‐, and γ‐CDs. It can fit into the cavity of γ‐CD to give rise to a PPR, but cannot pass through α‐CD and β‐CD under the same conditions. The ratio of the number of γ‐CD molecules to entrapped NIPAM repeat units is kept at 1:2.2 or 1:2.4, determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy and TGA analysis, respectively, indicating that there are more than 2 but less than 3 NIPAM repeat units included by one γ‐CD molecule. This finding opens new avenues to PPR‐based supramolecular polymers to be used as solid, stimuli‐responsive materials.
Impact of Polymer Network Inhomogeneities on the Volume Phase Transition of Thermoresponsive Microgels
Authors: Seiffert Sebastian 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThermoresponsive polymer gels exhibit pronounced swelling and deswelling upon changes in temperature, rendering them attractive for various applications. This transition has been studied extensively, but only little is known about how it is affected by nano‐ and micrometer‐scale inhomogeneities in the polymer gel network. In this work, droplet microfluidics is used to fabricate microgel particles of strongly varying inner homogeneity to study their volume phase behavior. These particles exhibit very similar equilibrium swelling and deswelling independent of their inner inhomogeneity, but the kinetics of their volume phase transition is markedly different: while gels with pronounced micrometer‐scale inhomogeneity show fast and affine deswelling, homogeneous gels shrink slowly and in multiple steps.
Pleiotropic effects of the sirtuin inhibitor sirtinol involves concentration‐dependent modulation of multiple nuclear receptor‐mediated pathways in androgen‐responsive prostate cancer cell LNCaP
Authors: Wang Thomas T.Y. , Schoene Norberta W. , Kim Eun‐Kyung , Kim Young S. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractSirtinol is a purported specific inhibitor of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)‐dependent type III histone deacetylase (also known as sirtuin). Sirtinol has been used extensively to identify chemopreventive/chemotherapeutic agents that modulate the sirtuins. However, the molecular effect of sirtinol other than serving as sirtuin inhibitor in cells is less clear. The present study addressed this deficiency in the literature. Based on structural similarity with plant‐derived cancer preventive/therapeutic compounds such as 3', 3'‐diindolylmethane, resveratrol, and genistein, we hypothesized that sirtinol may act on pathways similar to that affected by these compounds in the human prostate cancer cell LNCaP. We found that treatment of LNCaP cells with sirtinol led to concentration‐dependent effects on multiple pathways. Sirtinol inhibited LNCaP cell cycle and growth that was correlated with up‐regulation of cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 1A mRNA and protein levels. This effect of sirtinol may due in part to modulation of androgen, estrogen, and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 mediated pathways as sirtinol treatment led to inhibition of mRNA and protein expression of marker genes involved in these pathways. We also found sirtinol activates aryl hydrocarbon‐dependent pathways in LNCaP cells. The effects of sirtinol were observed at 25 µM, a concentration lower than Ki (38 µM) for sirtuin activity. Based on these results we reasoned that sirtinol exerts pleiotropic effects in cells and that biological effects of sirtinol may not be due solely to inhibition of sirtuin. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.