bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The finite‐size effect on the transport properties in edge‐modified graphene nanoribbon‐based molecular devices
Authors: Ding Zongling , Jiang Jun , Xing Huaizhong , Shu Haibo , Huang Yan , Chen Xiaoshuang , Lu Wei 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe size‐dependence on the electronic and transport properties of the molecular devices of the edge‐modified graphene nanoribbon (GNR) slices is investigated using density‐functional theory and Green's function theory. Two edge‐modifying functional group pairs are considered. Energy gap is found in all the GNR slices. The gap shows an exponential decrease with increasing the slice size of two vertical orientations in the two edge terminated cases, respectively. The tunneling probability and the number of conducting channel decreases with increasing the GNR‐slices size in the junctions. The results indicate that the acceptor‐donor pair edge modulation can improve the quantum conductance and decrease the finite‐size effect on the transmission capability of the GNR slice‐based molecular devices.
Assessment of hoarding
Authors: Frost Randy O. , Hristova Veselina 
Published: February 2011

AbstractVarious questionnaires and interviews have been created over the years to assess compulsive hoarding. In this article, we summarize existing measures, offer practice‐friendly suggestions for assessment of hoarding, and address frequent problems in its clinical evaluation. Existing measures for hoarding can be divided into those that are subscales of general measures of obsessive‐compulsive disorder (e.g., Obsessive‐Compulsive Inventory and Yale‐Brown Obsessive‐Compulsive Scale) and those that were developed specifically for hoarding and related phenomena. The former were largely developed without the benefit of research identifying the nature of hoarding, while the latter capture the specific dimensions of hoarding and are recommended for clinical use. We provide a case illustration and additional clinical considerations in the assessment of hoarding as well. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 67:1–11, 2011.
Neuropsychological and neural correlates of hoarding: a practice‐friendly review
Authors: Mataix‐Cols David , Pertusa Alberto , Snowdon John 
Published: February 2011

AbstractHoarding can be a symptom of multiple neurological and psychiatric disorders, including obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD). Recent evidence suggests that, in many cases, hoarding can also be a standalone problem that presents independently from other conditions; this has led to the proposal of a new diagnostic entity named hoarding disorder. This article reviews the neuropsychological and neuroimaging research on pathological hoarding. Most research in humans has been conducted in the context of individuals with brain damage, dementia, or OCD. Studies of well‐characterized samples of individuals with hoarding disorder are extremely rare. Although not possible to establish firm conclusions at this stage, we conclude with a series of observations and recommendations for clinical practice. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 67:1–10, 2011.
Cognitive‐behavioral therapy for hoarding in the context of contamination fears
Authors: Steketee Gail , Tolin David F. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractDifficulty discarding and excessive acquiring can be treated using specialized cognitive‐behavioral treatment that includes motivational interviewing, skills training, practice sorting and discarding, and cognitive restructuring. Early psychotherapy efforts to treat hoarding have proved less effective than this combination of methods targeted at the characteristic features of hoarding. Treatment strategies are illustrated through a case example of a woman struggling with both hoarding and contamination concerns. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 67:1–12, 2011.
Primary cilia regulates the directional migration and barrier integrity of endothelial cells through the modulation of Hsp27 dependent actin cytoskeletal organization
Authors: Jones Thomas J. , Adapala Ravi K. , Geldenhuys Werner J. , Bursley Chris , AbouAlaiwi Wissam A. , Nauli Surya M. , Thodeti Charles K. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractCilia are mechanosensing organelles that communicate extracellular signals into intracellular responses. Altered functions of primary cilia play a key role in the development of various diseases including polycystic kidney disease. Here, we show that endothelial cells from the oak ridge polycystic kidney (Tg737orpk/orpk) mouse, with impaired cilia assembly, exhibit a reduction in the actin stress fibers and focal adhesions compared to wild‐type (WT). In contrast, endothelial cells from polycystin‐1 deficient mice (pkd1null/null), with impaired cilia function, display robust stress fibers, and focal adhesion assembly. We found that the Tg737orpk/orpk cells exhibit impaired directional migration and endothelial cell monolayer permeability compared to the WT and pkd1null/null cells. Finally, we found that the expression of heat shock protein 27 (hsp27) and the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) are downregulated in the Tg737orpk/orpk cells and overexpression of hsp27 restored both FAK phosphorylation and cell migration. Taken together, these results demonstrate that disruption of the primary cilia structure or function compromises the endothelium through the suppression of hsp27 dependent actin organization and focal adhesion formation, which may contribute to the vascular dysfunction in ciliopathies. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 70–76, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The connexin mimetic peptide Gap27 increases human dermal fibroblast migration in hyperglycemic and hyperinsulinemic conditions in vitro
Authors: Wright Catherine S. , Pollok Simone , Flint David J. , Brandner Johanna M. , Martin Patricia E.M. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractSignificant increases in skin wound healing rates occur by reducing connexin‐mediated communication (CMC). Gap27, a connexin (Cx) mimetic peptide targeted to the second extracellular loop of Cx43, which inhibits CMC, increases migration of human keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts. To examine the efficacy of Gap27 in a hyperglycemic and hyperinsulinemic in vitro environment, cell migration, gap junction, and Cx hemichannel functionality and cell–substrate adhesion assays were performed on human dermal fibroblasts and diabetic fibroblast and keratinocytes. To investigate fibroblast genes involved in these processes, extra‐cellular matrix (ECM) and adhesion gene expression was determined with a PCR array. Gap27 increased fibroblast migration in both euglycemia/euinsulinemia and hyperglycemia/hyperinsulinemia, and influenced migration in diabetic keratinocytes. Hyperglycemia/hyperinsulinemia reduced gap junction coupling in fibroblasts and Gap27 reduced CMC and cell adhesion to substrata in fibroblasts cultured in high glucose. Migrating dermal fibroblast ECM and cell adhesion genes were found to be differentially regulated by Gap27 in euglycemia and hyperglycemia. The PCR array showed that Gap27 upregulated 34 genes and downregulated 1 gene in euglycemic migrating fibroblasts. By contrast in hyperglycemia, Gap27 upregulated 1 gene and downregulated 9 genes. In euglycemic conditions, Gap27 induced upregulation of genes associated with ECM remodeling, whereas in hyperglycemia, ECM component genes were downregulated by Gap27. Thus, Gap27 improves cell migration during scrape‐wound repair in hyperglycemia/hyperinsulinemia conditions in vitro, although migration of diabetic cells is less influenced. Our results suggest that this increase in motility may occur by decreasing gap junction and hemichannel activity and altering gene expression in the adhesion and ECM pathway. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 77–87, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Biodiesel production from Stichococcus strains at laboratory scale
Authors: Olivieri Giuseppe , Marzocchella Antonio , Andreozzi Roberto , Pinto Gabriele , Pollio Antonino 
Published: February 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND: This paper reports the results of an experimental campaign of autotrophic cultures of Stichococcus strains aiming at selecting the most promising strain for biofuel production. The strain selected—S. bacillaris 158/11—was cultivated in 1 L lab‐scale bubble column photobioreactors under fed‐batch and semi‐continuous conditions. A Bold basal medium supplemented with NaNO3 as nitrogen source was adopted. Tests were carried out at 23 °C, 140 µE m−2 s−1, and air flow rate ranging between 0.4 and 4 vvm. Cultures were characterized in terms of pH, concentration of total nitrogen, total organic carbon, total inorganic carbon, biomass, lipid fraction and methyl‐ester distribution of transesterified lipids.RESULTS: S. bacillaris 158/11 proved to be the best strain to produce biodiesel. Methyl‐ester distribution was characterized by a large fraction of methyl palmitate, methyl linolenate, methyl linoleate, and methyl oleate along with phytol. The process photosynthetic efficiency—fraction of available light stored as chemical energy ‐ was about 1.5%. Specific biomass productivity was ∼60 mgDM L−1 day−1 under the semi‐continuous conditions tested. Total lipid productivity was 14 mg L−1 day−1 at a dilution rate of 0.050 L day−1.CONCLUSION: S. bacillaris 158/11 is a potential strain for massive microalgae cultures for biofuel production. Higher biomass/total‐lipid productivity could be obtained in sunlight. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Variation of the specific surface area and porosity of anhydrous zinc oxalate with water vapour pressure
Authors: Mikhail Raouf Sh. , Guindy Nabila M. , Ali Ismail T. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractSpecific surface areas and pore structure studies were carried out on two sets of samples of anhydrous zinc oxalate prepared from the dihydrate by heating at 130 and 180°C in various atmospheres of differing water vapour pressure. The two sets of samples were freshly prepared and aged samples. The variation of specific surface areas with water vapour pressure was found to behave in accordance with the Smith‐Topley effect, with a minimum SBET value located at 3.0 mmHg of water vapour. Analysis of the nitrogen adsorption isotherms by the t‐method revealed the existence of both micropores and mesopores in the freshly prepared samples heated both at 130 and 180°C in 8.0 mmHg water vapour, and also in the aged samples prepared at 130°C in vacuo, and at 180°C in 8.0 mmHg water vapour. The rest of the samples possess only wide pores. Complete pore structure analysis for both micro‐ and mesopores was carried out for all samples investigated, and an attempt was made to correlate the factors affecting the development of surface area and pore structure, both in the presence and absence of water vapour, with those affecting the dehydration rate, and which occasionally lead to the Smith‐Topley effect.
Recovery of boric acid from ulexite by leaching with hydrochloric acid derived from waste chlorine gas and froth flotation
Authors: Yarar Baki 
Published: February 2011

AbstractA process for producing boric acid from ulexite and the recovery of the product by flotation is described. It was found that the degree of conversion of ulexite to boric acid decreased with rising HCl concentration. The undissolved mineral, together with other impurities such as clays, could be depressed by Quebracho, Orzan‐S, Daxad‐23 or starch, the first two being more effective. Concentrates assaying 97.1% H3BO3 were obtained without resorting to recrystallisation of the product. No flotation reagents other than the above‐mentioned were necessary for the process.
Diurnal dynamics of S‐phase entry of germ cells in the secondary testis of the bambooleaf wrasse (Pseudolabrus sieboldi)
Authors: Kitano Hajime , Irie Susumu , Yamaguchi Akihiko , Matsuyama Michiya 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe diversity of reproductive strategies found in fish is attributed to the adaptation of gametogenesis to different habitats. To date, however, information about the dynamics of male gametogenesis and its molecular mechanisms of control by the brain–pituitary–gonadal (BPG) axis, a well‐known facet of the endocrine system in vertebrates, is not sufficient to explain the variation in spawning and regulatory mechanisms among species. The bambooleaf wrasse (Pseudolabrus sieboldi) is a protogynous hermaphrodite fish that shows clear diurnal fluctuations in gonadotropin gene expression and serum sex steroid levels associated with spawning. In this study, morphometrical and histological analyses were performed to determine the number of spermatogonial generations in the testis of the sex‐changed male (secondary testis). In addition, the diurnal dynamics of S‐phase entry of germ cells was explored by measuring the frequency of BrdU‐incorporating germ cells at different times of day. We found that the bambooleaf wrasse spermatozoa were generated through nine spermatogonial generations, followed by meiotic divisions accompanied by loss of some spermatocytes and spermatids through apoptosis. BrdU analyses revealed a high frequency of entry into S‐phase of undifferentiated type A spermatogonia at 03:00 hr. On the other hand, the frequency of spermatocytes at S‐phase of the cell cycle decreased during 00:00–09:00 hr. This study demonstrates for the first time the daily fluctuations of S‐phase entry of male germ cells in fish. These results will provide a useful foundation for understanding the roles of endocrinological and cytological regulation of fish spermatogenesis.J. Exp. Zool. 315A:232–241, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantitative analysis of sperm plane circular movement in the blue mussels Mytilus edulis, M. trossulus and their hybrids
Authors: Liu Guangxu , Innes David , Thompson Raymond J. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractFertilization success of free spawning organisms such as Mytilus species depends on gamete interactions. Therefore, gamete traits such as sperm movement are important for determining fertilization success in free spawning organisms. Since little is known about sperm movement pattern in Mytilus species, the purpose of this study was to investigate sperm movement pattern of blue mussel M. edulis, M. trossulus and their hybrids using computer‐assisted sperm movement video analysis. Sperm of all genotypes were found to conduct circular movement in a two‐dimensional plane. Furthermore, new sperm movement parameters, real time radius (R), angle change rate (θ) and the center of circular track (Ot) were developed to verify and quantitatively describe the plane circular movement pattern using software (Image‐J) that may be widely applied to sperm movement study in other organisms. Angle change rate was positively correlated to fertilization success. However, no correlation between fertilization and real time radius was detected. Although no interspecific differences were found in the radius, the F1 (first generation) hybrid sperm had a lower angle change rate than M. edulis and M. trossulus. Published studies have shown that sperm circular movement is more prevalent in aquatic broadcast spawning species than in species with mating behavior or internal fertilization. Therefore, a two‐dimensional circular movement pattern in sperm may represent a trait that increases fertilization success for broadcast spawning species by either increasing gamete interaction rate at a small scale and/or avoiding swimming further away from the eggs before sperm detects the chemoattractant gradient. J. Exp. Zool. 315:280–290, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cytosine, the double helix and DNA self‐assembly
Authors: Timsit Youri , Varnai Peter 
Published: February 2011

AbstractDNA self‐assembly has crucial implications in reading out the genetic information in the cell and in nanotechnological applications. In a recent paper, self‐assembled DNA crystals displaying spectacular triangular motifs have been described (Zheng et al., 2009). The authors claimed that their data demonstrate the possibility to rationally design well‐ordered macromolecular 3D DNA lattice with precise spatial control using sticky ends. However, the authors did not recognize the fundamental features that control DNA self‐assembly in the lateral direction. By analysing available crystallographic data and simulating a DNA triangle, we show that the double helix geometry, sequence‐specific cytosine–phosphate interactions and divalent cations are in fact responsible for the precise spatial assembly of DNA. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Looking at the proteases from a simple perspective
Authors: Castro Helena C. , Abreu Paula A. , Geraldo Reinaldo B. , Martins Rita C.A. , dos Santos Ruben , Loureiro Natália I.V. , Cabral Lúcio M. , Rodrigues Carlos R. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractProteases have received enormous interest from the research and medical communities because of their significant roles in several human diseases. Some examples include the involvement of thrombin in thrombosis, HIV‐1 protease in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, cruzain in Trypanosoma cruzi infection, and membrane‐type 1 matrix metalloproteinase in tumor invasion and metastasis. Many efforts has been undertaken to design effective inhibitors featuring potent inhibitory activity, specificity, and metabolic stability to those proteases involved in such pathologies. Protease inhibitors usually target the active site, but some of them act by other inhibitory mechanisms. The understanding of the structure‐function relationships of proteases and inhibitors has an impact on new inhibitor drugs designing. In this paper, the structures of four proteases (thrombin, HIV‐protease, cruzain, and a matrix metalloproteinase) are briefly reviewed, and used as examples of the importance of proteases for the development of new treatment strategies, leading to a longer and healthier life. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hemodynamic aspects of mitral regurgitation assessed by generalized phase‐contrast MRI
Authors: Dyverfeldt Petter , Kvitting John‐Peder Escobar , Carlhäll Carl Johan , Boano Gabriella , Sigfridsson Andreas , Hermansson Ulf , Bolger Ann F. , Engvall Jan , Ebbers Tino 
Published: February 2011

AbstractPurpose:To investigate the utility of MRI measurement of left atrial (LA) flow patterns and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) in patients with clinically significant mitral regurgitation.Materials and Methods:Three‐dimensional cine phase‐contrast MRI (PC‐MRI) data were acquired in five patients with posterior mitral leaflet prolapse and two normal volunteers. LA flow patterns were assessed using particle trace visualization. Specifically, vortices were recognized by closed streamlines. LA flow distortion was assessed by estimation of TKE. In addition, the regurgitant volume was measured.Results:Four of the mitral regurgitation patients had eccentric regurgitant jets directed toward the septum; one patient had a central jet. The dominant systolic vortex was located in proximity to the regurgitant jet. The LA flow was highly disturbed with elevated values of TKE; peak LA TKE ranged from 13 to 37 mJ and occurred consistently at late systole. The average LA TKE per cardiac cycle was significantly related to the regurgitant volume (TKE = 0.573 + 0.179·RegVol, R2 = 0.983).Conclusion:MRI permits investigations of atrial flow patterns and TKE in significant mitral regurgitation. The degree of LA flow distortion, as measured by the average LA TKE over one cardiac cycle, appears to reflect the severity of regurgitation. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;33:582–588. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Active Crohn's Disease in the small bowel: Evaluation by diffusion weighted imaging and quantitative dynamic contrast enhanced MR imaging
Authors: Oto Aytekin , Kayhan Arda , Williams Joshua T.B. , Fan Xiaobing , Yun Laura , Arkani Sanaz , Rubin David T. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractPurposeTo determine relative diagnostic value of MR diffusion and perfusion parameters in detection of active small bowel inflammation in patients with Crohn's disease (CD).Materials and MethodsWe reviewed 18 patients with active CD of terminal ileum (TI) who underwent MR enterography (MRE; including dynamic contrast enhanced MRI and diffusion‐weighted MRI). Conventional MRI findings of TI were recorded. Regions of interest were drawn over TI and normal ileum to calculate apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), the volume transfer constant (Ktrans) and the contrast media distribution volume (ve). Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to determine their diagnostic performance.ResultsAmong conventional MR findings, mural thickening and increased enhancement were present in all actively inflamed small bowel. Ktrans, ve, and ADC values differed significantly between actively inflamed TI and normal ileum (0.92 s−1 versus 0.36 s−1; 0.31 versus 0.15 ± 0.08; 0.00198 mm2/s versus 0.00311 mm2/s; P < 0.001). Area under the curve (AUC) for Ktrans, ve, and ADC values ranged from 0.88 to 0.92 for detection of active inflammation. Combining Ktrans and ADC data provided an AUC value of 0.95.ConclusionDynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI (DCE‐MRI) and diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) provide quantitative measures of small bowel inflammation that can differentiate actively inflamed small bowel segments from normal small bowel in CD. DWI provides better sensitivity compared with DCE‐MRI and combination of ADC and Ktrans parameters for analysis can potentially improve specificity. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diffusion‐weighted imaging for prediction of volumetric response of leiomyomas following uterine artery embolization: A preliminary study
Authors: Hecht Elizabeth M. , Do Richard K.G. , Kang Stella K. , Bennett Genevieve L. , Babb James S. , Clark Timothy W.I. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractPurposeTo determine if pretreatment apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of leiomyomas could predict volumetric response (VR) following uterine artery embolization (UAE).Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively studied 11 women who underwent pelvic MRI before and >120 days following UAE. MRI included conventional and diffusion weighted imaging sequences. Percentage change in leiomyoma volume was determined by multiplanar T2‐weighted imaging. A Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated between leiomyoma VR following UAE and the following pre‐embolization parameters: initial volume, relative enhancement, relative T2 signal intensity (SI) and ADC. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the sensitivity and specificity of ADC for predicting volumetric response.ResultsTwenty‐eight leiomyomas were included with a mean interval from UAE to follow‐up MRI of 207 days. The preprocedural volume of the leiomyomas ranged from 18 to 182 cm3 (median 47 cm3). and ADC ranged from 0.37 to 1.71 mm2/s (mean 0.80 mm2/s). All leiomyomas were 100% necrotic following UAE. Leiomyoma VR following UAE was 48% ± 3.5%. with significant correlation between VR and ADC (r = 0.41; P = 0.017) but no correlation with initial leiomyoma volume, relative T2 SI, or relative enhancement. Using a threshold of 0.875 × 10−3 mm2/s, ADC could predict > 50% VR with sensitivity and specificity of 70% and 83%, respectively.ConclusionPre‐UAE ADC of leiomyomas correlated significantly with percent VR following UAE. In contrast, no correlation was seen between VR post‐UAE and conventional imaging findings. This suggests that VR following UAE depends on leiomyoma histology reflected in DWI rather than features revealed by conventional MRI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;33:641–646. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.