bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Semaphorin 4A Exerts a Proangiogenic Effect by Enhancing Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A Expression in Macrophages
Authors: Meda Claudia , Molla Fabiola , De Pizzol Maria , Regano Donatella , Maione Federica , Capano Stefania , Locati Massimo , Mantovani Alberto , Latini Roberto , Bussolino Federico , Giraudo Enrico 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
The axon guidance cues semaphorins (Semas) and their receptors plexins have been shown to regulate both physiological and pathological angiogenesis. Sema4A plays an important role in the immune system by inducing T cell activation, but to date, the role of Sema4A in regulating the function of macrophages during the angiogenic and inflammatory processes remains unclear. In this study, we show that macrophage activation by TLR ligands LPS and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid induced a time-dependent increase of Sema4A and its receptors PlexinB2 and PlexinD1. Moreover, in a thioglycollate-induced peritonitis mouse model, Sema4A was detected in circulating Ly6Chigh inflammatory monocytes and peritoneal macrophages. Acting via PlexinD1, exogenous Sema4A strongly increased macrophage migration. Of note, Sema4A-activated PlexinD1 enhanced the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A, but not of inflammatory chemokines. Sema4A-stimulated macrophages were able to activate vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 and the PI3K/serine/threonine kinase Akt pathway in endothelial cells and to sustain their migration and in vivo angiogenesis. Remarkably, in an in vivo cardiac ischemia/reperfusion mouse model, Sema4A was highly expressed in macrophages recruited at the injured area. We conclude that Sema4A activates a specialized and restricted genetic program in macrophages able to sustain angiogenesis and participates in their recruitment and activation in inflammatory injuries.
Filtering, smoothing and prediction using a control‐loop spectral factorization method for coloured noise
Authors: Moir T.J. 
Published: March 2012

SUMMARYA method for the linear least‐squares estimation of random signals contaminated with random noise that uses a new method of spectral factorization is shown. It is shown that the optimal filter can be written entirely in terms of the two spectral factors of signal plus noise and noise‐alone, and can be applied to the general case of coloured and white additive noise. The method of spectral factorization used is novel and uses control‐system methodology. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Non‐Covalent Functionalization of Individual Nanotubes with Spiropyran‐Based Molecular Switches
Authors: Setaro Antonio , Bluemmel Pascal , Maity Chandan , Hecht Stefan , Reich Stephanie 
Published: March 2012

AbstractSingle‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are functionalized with a spiropyran derivative, which is attached non‐covalently to the SWCNT's sidewall via a pyrene anchor group. Using this non‐covalent functionalization strategy, individual SWCNTs can be stabilized in solution without the need for additional surfactants. Bright luminescence confirms the presence of individual tubes in the thus‐prepared samples. In these samples, the majority of pyrene‐spiropyran molecules are attached to the walls of the SWCNTs. Upon complex formation with the SWCNT, the switching moiety retains its ability to switch, i.e., to undergo reversible transformations between the closed spiropyran and the opened merocyanine form, and is stable over many cycles of operation.
Biologically Enabled Syntheses of Freestanding Metallic Structures Possessing Subwavelength Pore Arrays for Extraordinary (Surface Plasmon‐Mediated) Infrared Transmission
Authors: Fang Yunnan , Chen Vincent W. , Cai Ye , Berrigan John D. , Marder Seth R. , Perry Joseph W. , Sandhage Kenneth H. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractA scalable wet chemical process has been used to convert the intricate silica microshells (frustules) of diatoms into gold structures that retained the three‐dimensional (3‐D) frustule shapes and fine patterned features. Combined use of an amine‐enriching surface functionalization protocol and electroless deposition yielded thin (<100 nm) conformal nanocrystalline gold coatings that, upon selective silica dissolution, were converted into freestanding gold structures with frustule‐derived 3‐D morphologies. By selecting a diatom frustule template with a quasi‐regular hexagonal pore pattern (Coscinodiscus asteromphalus, CA), gold replica structures possessing such pore patterns were produced that exhibited infrared transmission maxima/reflection minima that were not observed for the starting silica diatom frustules or for flat nonporous gold films; that is, such extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) resulted from the combined effects of the quasi‐periodic hexagonal hole structure (inherited from the CA diatom frustules) and the gold chemistry. Calculated and measured IR transmission spectra obtained from planar gold films with quasi‐periodic hexagonal CA‐derived hole patterns, or with short‐range periodic hexagonal hole patterns, indicated that the enhanced IR transmission exhibited by the gold CA frustule replicas was enabled by the generation and transmission of surface plasmons. This scalable bio‐enabled process provides a new and attractive capability for fabricating self‐supporting, responsive, 3‐D metallic structures for use as dispersible/harvestable microparticles tailored for EOT‐based applications.
Freestanding Single Crystalline Fe–Pd Ferromagnetic Shape Memory Membranes – Role of Mechanical and Magnetic Constraints Across the Martensite Transition
Authors: Ma Yanhong , Setzer Annette , Gerlach Jürgen W. , Frost Frank , Esquinazi Pablo , Mayr S. G. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractSubstrate‐attached and freestanding single crystalline Fe70Pd30 ferromagnetic shape memory alloy membranes, which were synthesized by molecular beam epitaxy on MgO (001) and later released from their substrates, are characterized with respect to their structural, thermal and magnetic properties. Residing in the two‐phase region of austenite and the correct martensite phase with face centered tetragonal (fct) structure at room temperature, they reveal martensite transition with little hysteresis at 326 K and 320 K, respectively. Comparing substrate‐attached with freestanding films, which show fundamentally different magnetic fingerprints, it is proposed that domain structure is capable of posing a bias on the austenite → fct‐martensite phase transition by favoring martensite variants with their easy axis aligned along the field – just as the substrate constitutes a mechanical constraint on the transition. If confirmed, this would suggest thermo‐magnetic actuation as an alternative where only moderate magnetic fields are feasible, but moderate temperature changes are possible.
Formation of Spherical and Non‐Spherical Eutectic Gallium‐Indium Liquid‐Metal Microdroplets in Microfluidic Channels at Room Temperature
Authors: Hutter Tanya , Bauer Wolfgang‐Andreas C. , Elliott Stephen R. , Huck Wilhelm T. S. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractHere, the formation of eutectic Gallium‐Indium (EGaIn) liquid‐metal microdroplets, both spherical and non‐spherical, in microfluidic devices at room temperature is reported. Monodisperse microdroplets were created in an aqueous polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution, in oxygenated and in deoxygenated silicone oil. The volume of the droplets depends on the channel dimensions and flow rates applied, varying between 0.5 and 4 nL. Non‐spherical droplets were formed in oxygenated silicone oil due to the instantaneous formation of an oxide layer. These metal “micro‐rice” droplets retained their shape and did not spontaneously reflow to form shapes of the lowest interfacial energy on egress from the channel, unlike in aqueous PEG solution and in deoxygenated silicone oil. Liquid‐metal droplets with such tunable morphology can potentially be used in MEMS devices for optical and electrical switches, valves and micropumps.
Biobank participation and returning research results: Perspectives from a deliberative engagement in South Side Chicago
Authors: Lemke Amy A. , Halverson Colin , Ross Lainie Friedman 
Published: March 2012

AbstractTo be respectful of the public, biobank guiding principles and operations should be responsive to and inclusive of the values and beliefs of their participants. In an effort to increase knowledge and inform institutional policies, we conducted a deliberative engagement of individuals from two healthcare facilities in South Side Chicago that serve different socioeconomic communities to consider biobank policies regarding return of research results. We recruited primary caregivers of children receiving care at either a Federally Qualified Health Center or a university‐based practice to attend two full‐day deliberative engagement sessions, which included four educational presentations followed by focus group discussions. Surveys were administered to assess attitudes before and after the engagement, and an evaluation was conducted to assess the deliberative engagement process. All 45 participants self‐identified as African‐American. Focus group themes included: (1) overall interest in biobank participation, broad consent, and recontact; (2) root causes of distrust and potential biobank strategies to facilitate trust; (3) perceived positive and negative aspects of receiving research results; and (4) strong interest in receiving and managing their children's research results. Survey data indicated the same degree of interest in receiving results about themselves as about their children. Pre‐ and post‐session findings showed mainly non‐significant attitudinal changes in level of interest in biobank participation and return of research results, although there was a decrease in level of concern regarding identification from research data. Our findings reveal shared community insights important in facilitating relationships and policy discussions between biobank researchers and research participants. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preparation and characterization of solid polymeric electrolyte of poly(vinyl) chloride‐low‐molecular weight LENR50 (70/30)‐LiClO4
Authors: Lee T. K. , Ahmad A. , Farina Y. , Dahlan H. M. , Rahman M. Y. A. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis work presents the preparation of a free standing electrolyte film containing poly(vinyl) chloride (PVC) and 50% liquid epoxidized natural rubber (LENR50) blends as a host for the electrolyte that was doped with lithium perchlorate (LiClO4) as the dopant salt. The electrolyte was prepared via solution‐casting technique. From the impedance result, the highest ionic conductivity obtained was 9.6 × 10−9 S cm−1 at the 30 wt % of LiClO4. This ionic conductivity result was supported by XRD analysis that showed the addition of 5–30 wt % of LiClO4 salt to the PVC‐LENR50 was well dissociated in the electrolyte as no salt peaks were observed. This implies that the salt was fully complexed in the system. Thermal analysis revealed that Tg increased with lithium salts concentration. This is due to the formation of transient crosslinkage bonds and increasing viscosity. The morphological studies revealed the good homogeneity of the PVC‐LENR50 (70/30) blend as no phase separation was observed. In addition, the formation of micropores with an addition of salts in the electrolyte improved the mobility properties of Li+ ions in the electrolyte system. Hence, it improves the ionic conductivity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Catalytic Arylation of a CH Bond in Pyridine and Related Six‐Membered N‐Heteroarenes Using Organozinc Reagents
Authors: Hyodo Isao , Tobisu Mamoru , Chatani Naoto 
Published: March 2012

AbstractDespite significant advances in the catalytic direct arylation of heteroarenes, the application of this reaction to pyridines has been met with limited success. An oxidative nucleophilic arylation strategy has been developed to overcome this problem. Pyridine, pyrazine, quinolone, and related electron‐deficient N‐heteroarenes can be arylated at the most electrophilic site using the developed nickel‐catalyzed reaction. This protocol serves as a complementary method to catalytic direct arylation reactions.
On Controlling the Transient Response of Linear Time Invariant Systems with Fixed Structure Controllers
Authors: Malik Waqar A. , Darbha Swaroop , Bhattacharyya S. P. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe problem of controlling transient response is important in many industrial applications; for example, the speed and accuracy of motion control of robots directly relates to the productivity of the robot. The objective of transient control is to determine a feedback controller of a fixed structure that renders the closed loop response of a specified system to lie in a specified envelope. One may associate a set of errors which measures the deviation of the response from the envelope. The set of errors may be defined in such a way that all the errors are non‐negative if and only if the response does not deviate from the envelope at any time. The transient problem can be thus posed as the problem of determining a stabilizing controller that renders the set of all errors to be non‐negative at every time. One may associate a control parameter vector K with a controller of a specified structure. The main topic of investigation of this paper is to find a bound for the set of real control parameters, K, so that a rational, proper transfer function, has a decaying, non‐negative impulse response. It is assumed that the coefficients of the polynomials N(s, k) and D(s, K) are affine in K.
Variable Structure Control with Chattering Reduction of a Generalized T‐S Model
Authors: Al‐Hadithi Basil M. , Jiménez Agustín , Matía Fernando 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIn this paper, a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) based variable structure control (VSC) is presented. The main objective is to obtain an improved performance of highly non‐linear unstable systems. New functions for chattering reduction and error convergence without sacrificing invariant properties are proposed. The main feature of the proposed method is that the switching function is added as an additional fuzzy variable and will be introduced in the premise part of the fuzzy rules; together with the state variables.In this work, a tuning of the well known weighting parameters approach is proposed to optimize local and global approximation and modelling capability of the Takagi‐Sugeno (T‐S) fuzzy model to improve the choice of the performance index and minimize it. The main problem encountered is that the T‐S identification method can not be applied when the membership functions are overlapped by pairs. This in turn restricts the application of the T‐S method because this type of membership function has been widely used in control applications. The approach developed here can be considered as a generalized version of the T‐S method. An inverted pendulum mounted on a cart is chosen to evaluate the robustness, effectiveness, accuracy and remarkable performance of the proposed estimation approach in comparison with the original T‐S model. Simulation results indicate the potential, simplicity and generality of the estimation method and the robustness of the chattering reduction algorithm. In this paper, we prove that the proposed estimation algorithm converge the very fast, thereby making it very practical to use. The application of the proposed FLC‐VSC shows that both alleviation of chattering and robust performance are achieved.
Neuroendocrinology‐based therapy for Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Palm Russell , Ayala‐Fontanez Nilmarie , Garcia Yoelvis , Lee Hyoung‐gon , Smith Mark A. , Casadesus Gemma 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe nervous system interacts directly with the endocrine system to control a plethora of central nervous system (CNS) functions. Metabolic and reproductive hormones are known to be important in the maintenance of neuronal health and their fluctuations are important for CNS aspects ranging from sleep and appetite regulation to cognitive function. This review will summarize and critically evaluate how age‐related changes in sex and metabolic hormones modulate affect cognitive function and the implications of targeting the neuroendocrinological system as a therapeutic strategy in Alzheimer's disease.
A potential role for zinc alterations in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Lyubartseva Ganna , Lovell Mark A. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAlzheimer's disease (AD), one of the major causes of disability and mortality in Western societies, is a progressive age‐related neurodegenerative disorder. Increasing evidence suggests that the etiology of AD may involve disruptions of zinc (Zn) homeostasis. This review discusses current evidence supporting a potential role of Zn and zinc transporters (ZnTs) in processing of the amyloid beta protein precursor (APP) and amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide generation and aggregation.
Poly(ethylene glycol) cross‐linked hemoglobin with antioxidant enzymes protects pancreatic islets from hypoxic and free radical stress and extends islet functionality
Authors: Nadithe Venkatareddy , Mishra Deepa , Bae You Han 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate the efficiency of multifunctional poly(ethylene glycol)‐based hemoglobin conjugates crosslinked with antioxidant enzymes for their ability to protect an oxygen carrier (hemoglobin) and insulin secreting islets from the combination of hypoxic and free radical stress under simulated transplantation conditions. In this study, RINm5F cells and isolated pancreatic islets were challenged with oxidants (H2O2 or xanthine and xanthine oxidase) and incubated with conjugates (hemoglobin–hemoglobin or superoxide dismutase–catalase–hemoglobin) in normoxia (21% oxygen) or hypoxia (6% or 1% oxygen). Hemoglobin protection, intracellular free radical activity and cell viability in RINm5F cells measured by methemoglobin, dichlorofluorescein‐diacetate, and (3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay, respectively, showed that cells were better protected by conjugates containing antioxidant enzymes. Insulin secretion from islets and qualitative confocal evaluation of viability showed beta cells were protected by conjugates containing antioxidant enzymes when exposed to induced stress. Our study suggested that antioxidant enzymes play a significant role in hemoglobin protection and thus extended cell protection. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012;109: 2392–2401. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Using electron balances and molecular techniques to assess trichoroethene‐induced shifts to a dechlorinating microbial community
Authors: Ziv‐El Michal , Popat Sudeep C. , Parameswaran Prathap , Kang Dae‐Wook , Polasko Alexandra , Halden Rolf U. , Rittmann Bruce E. , Krajmalnik‐Brown Rosa 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis study demonstrated the utility in correlating performance and community structure of a trichloroethene (TCE)‐dechlorinating microbial consortium; specifically dechlorinators, fermenters, homoacetogens, and methanogens. Two complementary approaches were applied: predicting trends in the microbial community structure based on an electron balance analysis and experimentally assessing the community structure via pyrosequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Fill‐and‐draw reactors inoculated with the DehaloR⁁2 consortium were operated at five TCE‐pulsing rates between 14 and 168 µmol/10‐day‐SRT, amended with TCE every 2 days to give peak concentrations between 0.047 and 0.56 mM (6–74 ppm) and supplied lactate and methanol as sources of e‐ donor and carbon. The complementary approaches demonstrated the same trends: increasing abundance of Dehalococcoides and Geobacter and decreasing abundance of Firmicutes with increasing TCE pulsing rate, except for the highest pulsing rate. Based on qPCR, the abundance of Geobacter and Dehalococcoides decreased for the highest TCE pulsing rate, and pyrosequencing showed this same trend for the latter. This deviation suggested decoupling of Dehalococcoides growth from dechlorination. At pseudo steady‐state, methanogenesis was minimal for all TCE pulsing rates. Pyrosequencing and qPCR showed suppression of the homoacetogenic genera Acetobacterium at the two highest pulsing rates, and it was corroborated by a decreased production of acetate from lactate fermentation and increased propionate production. Suppression of Acetobacterium, which can provide growth factors to Dehalococcoides, may have contributed to the decoupling for the highest TCE‐pulsing rate. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012;109: 2230–2239. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Utilization of tyrosine‐ and histidine‐containing dipeptides to enhance productivity and culture viability
Authors: Kang Sohye , Mullen Johanna , Miranda Les P. , Deshpande Rohini 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAdequate supply of nutrients, especially providing a sufficient level of specific amino acids, is essential for cell survival and production. Complex raw materials such as soy hydrolysates or yeast extracts are the source for both free amino acids and peptides. However, typical chemically defined (CD) media provide amino acids only in free form. While most amino acids are highly soluble in media and can be provided at fairly high concentrations, certain amino acids such as tyrosine have poor solubility and thus, only a limited amount can be added as a media component. The limited solubility of amino acids in media can raise the risk of media precipitation and instability, and could contribute to suboptimal culture performance due to insufficient nutrient levels to meet cellular demands. In this study, we examine the use of chemically synthesized dipeptides as an alternative method for delivering amino acids to various monoclonal antibody producing cell lines. In particular, we focus on tyrosine‐containing dipeptides. Due to their substantially higher solubility (up to 250‐fold as compared with free tyrosine), tyrosine‐containing dipeptides can efficiently provide large amounts of tyrosine to cultured cells. When tested in fed‐batch processes, these supplemental dipeptides exerted positive effects, including enhanced culture viability and titer. Moreover, dipeptide‐supplemented cultures displayed improved metabolic profiles including lower lactate and NH production, and better pH maintenance. In bioreactor studies using two‐sided pH control, a lactate spike occurring on Day 10 and the concomitant high levels of base addition could be prevented with dipeptide supplementation. These beneficial effects could be obtained by one‐time addition of dipeptides during inoculation, and did not require further feeds during the entire 11–15‐day process. Non‐tyrosine‐containing dipeptides, such as His–Gly, also showed improved productivity and viability over control cultures. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012;109: 2286–2294. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.