bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of a Nanosize Pattern Embedded Plastic Chip via an Injection Molding Method for Application to an Optical Biosensor
Authors: Kim K. H. , Kim W. , Hong J. C. , Ko H. S. , Kim B. K. , Huh C. , Sung G. Y. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
We demonstrate a commercialized injection molding method for nano patterning of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) for the purpose of mass production of a label-free optical biosensor chip. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images clearly show uniform nanopattern transfer on the plastic chip fabricated by an injection molding method. A uniformly deposited silicon nitride layer having a high refractive index by a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technique is also observed. A unique characterization method is described wherein optical resonance reflection is used accurately and quickly to characterize the geometrical sensor structure. The authors anticipate that this robust method will provide an excellent means of producing an optical resonance reflection biosensor (ORRB).
Air-coupled Ultrasound for Monitoring the Production of PUR Sandwich Structures
Authors: Siegmund F. , Döring D. , Rheinfurth M. , Haberstroh E. , Busse G. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Polyurethane sandwich structures are very useful in construction because of their excellent thermal insulating properties. Even though the chemicophysical processes occurring inside the production line crucially affect the quality of the final product, up to now, they are not monitored at all. Thus, the aim of this paper is to present a new fundamental approach for non-invasively monitoring these processes online by using air-coupled, low-frequency ultrasonic plate waves (“Lamb waves”). Hereby, a foaming cell incorporating the ultrasonic unit was constructed on a laboratory scale. Then, sandwich structures were fabricated with polyurethane consisting of various ratios of the educts di-isocyanate and polyol. Air, instead of liquid was used as the coupling medium to transport the ultrasonic waves that were subsequently monitored. For comparison, tensile strength and microscopic images were analyzed. Most importantly, various wave amplitudes and phases were recorded depending on the actual chemical properties of the polyurethane and its physical state. Consequently, this technique permits the direct and non-invasive tracking of the foaming process thereby avoiding expensive panel replacements.
Effect of Malonic Acid/Calcium Stearate Bicomponent Nucleator on the β-Crystalline Formation in Isotactic Poly(propylene)
Authors: Dou Q. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
The effect of a new bicomponent β-nucleator composed of malonic acid (MA) and calcium stearate (CaSt) on the formation of the β-crystalline form in isotactic polypropylene (iPP) has been investigated. It has been found that the relative content of the β-crystalline form (k value) of iPP notably increases with the addition of the MA/CaSt mixture, and it attains a maximum value of 0.94 at 0.15% MA/0.30% CaSt. For iPP nucleated with the bicomponent nucleator, the spherulitic size decreases continuously with increasing CaSt dosage. FTIR analysis has shown that an “in situ” reaction may occur between MA and CaSt during melt blending, yielding an effective β-nucleator (calcium malonate, CaMt). The β-nucleation efficiency of an MA/CaSt mixture is higher than that of CaMt itself; this may be ascribed to greater dispersion of the “in situ” produced CaMt in the iPP matrix through the assistance of the CaSt residue and the stearic acid.
Dual KS: Defining Gene Sets with Tissue Set Enrichment Analysis
Authors: Yang Yarong , Kort Eric J. , Ebrahimi Nader , Zhang Zhongfa , Teh Bin T. 
Published: November 2010

Background Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) is an analytic approach which simultaneously reduces the dimensionality of microarray data and enables ready inference of the biological meaning of observed gene expression patterns. Here we invert the GSEA process to identify class-specific gene signatures. Because our approach uses the Kolmogorov-Smirnov approach both to define class specific signatures and to classify samples using those signatures, we have termed this methodology “Dual-KS” (DKS). Results The optimum gene signature identified by the DKS algorithm was smaller than other methods to which it was compared in 5 out of 10 datasets. The estimated error rate of DKS using the optimum gene signature was smaller than the estimated error rate of the random forest method in 4 out of the 10 datasets, and was equivalent in two additional datasets. DKS performance relative to other benchmarked algorithms was similar to its performance relative to random forests. Conclusions DKS is an efficient analytic methodology that can identify highly parsimonious gene signatures useful for classification in the context of microarray studies. The algorithm is available as the dualKS package for R as part of the bioconductor project.
Genes with Relevance for Early to Late Progression of Colon Carcinoma Based on Combined Genomic and Transcriptomic Information from the Same Patients
Authors: Lagerstedt Kristina K. , Kristiansson Erik , Lönnroth Christina , Andersson Marianne , IresjÖ Britt-Marie , Gustafsson Annika , Hansson Elisabeth , Kressner Ulf , Nordgren Svante , Enlund Fredrik , Lundholm Kent 
Published: November 2010

BackgroundGenetic and epigenetic alterations in colorectal cancer are numerous. However, it is difficult to judge whether such changes are primary or secondary to the appearance and progression of tumors. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify altered DNA regions with significant covariation to transcription alterations along colon cancer progression.MethodsTumor and normal colon tissue were obtained at primary operations from 24 patients selected by chance. DNA, RNA and microRNAs were extracted from the same biopsy material in all individuals and analyzed by oligo-nucleotide array-based comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), mRNA- and microRNA oligo-arrays. Statistical analyses were performed to assess statistical interactions (correlations, co-variations) between DNA copy number changes and significant alterations in gene and microRNA expression using appropriate parametric and non-parametric statistics.ResultsMain DNA alterations were located on chromosome 7, 8, 13 and 20. Tumor DNA copy number gain increased with tumor progression, significantly related to increased gene expression. Copy number loss was not observed in Dukes A tumors. There was no significant relationship between expressed genes and tumor progression across Dukes A–D tumors; and no relationship between tumor stage and the number of microRNAs with significantly altered expression. Interaction analyses identified overall 41 genes, which discriminated early Dukes A plus B tumors from late Dukes C plus D tumor; 28 of these genes remained with correlations between genomic and transcriptomic alterations in Dukes C plus D tumors and 17 in Dukes D. One microRNA (microR-663) showed interactions with DNA alterations in all Dukes A-D tumors.ConclusionsOur modeling confirms that colon cancer progression is related to genomic instability and altered gene expression. However, early invasive tumor growth seemed rather related to transcriptomic alterations, where changes in microRNA may be an early phenomenon, and less to DNA copy number changes.
Assessment of the Quality of Water from Hand-Dug Wells in Ghana
Authors: Nkansah Marian Asantewah , Boadi Nathaniel Owusu , Badu Mercy 
Published: November 2010

This study focused upon the determination of physicochemical and microbial properties, including metals, selected anions and coliform bacteria in drinking water samples from hand-dug wells in the Kumasi metropolis of the Republic of Ghana. The purpose was to assess the quality of water from these sources. Ten different water samples were taken from different parts of Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti region of Ghana and analyzed for physicochemical parameters including pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, alkalinity total hardness and coliform bacteria. Metals and anions analyzed were Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, NO3–, NO2–, SO42-, PO42-, F– and Cl–. Bacteria analysed were total coliform and Escherichia coli. The data showed variation of the investigated parameters in samples as follows: pH, 6.30-0.70; conductivity (EC), 46-682 μS/cm; PO43-, 0.67-76.00 mg/L; F–, 0.20-0.80 mg/L; NO3–, 0-0.968 mg/L; NO2–, 0-0.063 mg/L; SO42-, 3.0-07.0 mg/L; Fe, 0-1.2 mg/L; Mn, 0-0.018 mg/L. Total coliform and Escherichia coli were below the minimum detection limit (MDL) of 20 MPN per 100 ml in all the samples. The concentrations of most of the investigated parameters in the drinking water samples from Ashanti region were within the permissible limits of the World Health Organization drinking water quality guidelines.
A Picture of the Healthful Food Environment in Two Diverse Urban Cities
Authors: Lee Rebecca E. , Heinrich Katie M. , Medina Ashley V. , Regan Gail R. , Reese-Smith Jacqueline Y. , Jokura Yuka , Maddock Jay E. 
Published: November 2010

Background Local food environments influence fresh produce purchase and consumption, and previous research has found disparities in local food environments by income and ethnicity. Other existing studies have begun to quantify the distribution of food sources, but there has been limited attention to important features or types of healthful food that are available or their quality or cost. Two studies assessed the type, quantity, quality and cost of healthful food from two diverse urban cities, Kansas City, Kansas and Missouri and Honolulu, Hawaii, and evaluated differences by neighborhood income and ethnic composition. Method A total of 343 food stores in urban neighborhoods were assessed using the one-page Understanding Neighborhood Determinants of Obesity (UNDO) Food Stores Assessment (FSA) measuring healthful foods. US Census data were used to define median household income and ethnic minority concentration. Results In Study 1, most low socioeconomic status (SES), high ethnic minority neighborhoods had primarily convenience, liquor or small grocery stores. Quality of produce was typically lower, and prices of some foods were more than in comparison neighborhoods. In Study 2, low SES neighborhoods had more convenience and grocery stores. Farmers’ markets and supermarkets had the best produce availability and quality, and farmers’ markets and pharmacies had the lowest prices. Conclusions Messages emphasizing eating more fruits and vegetables are not realistic in urban, low SES, high ethnic concentration neighborhoods. Farmers’ markets and supermarkets provided the best opportunities for fresh produce. Increasing access to farmers’ markets and supermarkets or reducing prices could improve the local food environment.
Effect of a Manager Training and Certification Program on Food Safety and Hygiene in Food Service Operations
Authors: Kassa Hailu , Silverman Gary S. , Baroudi Karim 
Published: November 2010

Food safety is an important public health issue in the U.S. Eating at restaurants and other food service facilities increasingly has been associated with food borne disease outbreaks. Food safety training and certification of food mangers has been used as a method for reducing food safety violations at food service facilities. However, the literature is inconclusive about the effectiveness of such training programs for improving food safety and protecting consumer health. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of food manger training on reducing food safety violations. We examined food inspection reports from the Toledo/Lucas County Health Department (Ohio) from March 2005 through February 2006 and compared food hygiene violations between food service facilities with certified and without certified food managers. We also examined the impact on food safety of a food service facility being part of a larger group of facilities. Restaurants with trained and certified food managers had significantly fewer critical food safety violations but more non-critical violations than restaurants without certified personnel. Institutional food service facilities had significantly fewer violations than restaurants, and the number of violations did not differ as a function of certification. Similarly, restaurants with many outlets had significantly fewer violations than restaurants with fewer outlets, and training was not associated with lower numbers of violations from restaurants with many outlets. The value of having certified personnel was only observed in independent restaurants and those with few branches. This information may be useful in indicating where food safety problems are most likely to occur. Furthermore, we recommend that those characteristics of institutional and chain restaurants that result in fewer violations should be identified in future research, and efforts made to apply this knowledge at the level of individual restaurants.
Air Pollution and Emergency Department Visits for Suicide Attempts in Vancouver, Canada
Authors: Szyszkowicz Mieczystaw , Willey Jeff B. , Grafstein Eric , Rowe Brian H. , Colman Ian 
Published: November 2010

Background Comorbidity of depression, heart disease, and migraine has been observed in clinical practice, while ambient air pollution has been identified among different risk factors for these health conditions. Suicide attempts and ideations as the result of depression may be linked to air pollution exposure. Therefore the effects of ambient air pollution on emergency department (ED) visits for suicide attempts were investigated. Methods Emergency visit data were collected in a hospital in Vancouver, Canada. The generalized linear mixed models technique was applied in the analysis of these data. A natural hierarchical structure of the data was used to define the clusters, with days nested in a 3-level structure (day of week, month, year). Poisson models were fitted to the clustered counts of ED visits with a single air pollutant, temperature and relative humidity. In addition, the case-crossover methodology was used with the same data for comparison. The analysis was performed by gender (all, males, females) and month (all: January-December, warm: April-September, cold: October-March). Results Both hierarchical and case-crossover methods confirmed positive and statistically significant associations among carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter (PM10) for all suicide attempts in the cold period. The largest increase was observed for males in the cold period for a 1-day lagged exposure to NO2, with an excess risk of 23.9% (95% CI: 7.8, 42.4) and odds ratio of 1.21 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.41). In warm months the associations were not statistically significant, and the highest positive value was obtained for ozone lagged by 1 day. Conclusion The results indicate a potential association between air pollution and emergency department visits for suicide attempts.
A Novel Training‐Free Cast FeMnSiCrNi Shape Memory Alloy Based on Formation of Martensite in a Domain‐Specific Manner
Authors: Wen Yuhua , Peng Huabei , Wang Chaoping , Yu Qinxu , Li Ning 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe proposed key to producing a good shape memory effect in FeMnSi alloys is to reduce or even prevent the collisions between martensite bands. A method for realizing this is to make stress‐induced martensite bands form in a domain‐specific manner. We developed a novel training‐free cast Fe18Mn5.5Si9.5Cr4Ni alloy with residual lathy delta ferrite based on this idea. The recovery strain reached 6.4% only after annealing the cast Fe18Mn5.5Si9.5Cr4Ni alloy. Microstructure observations indicated that the lathy delta ferrite made the stress‐induced martensite form in a domain‐specific manner by first subdividing grains into smaller domains. We hypothesize that through adjusting alloy compositions, solidification parameters, and heat treatment technique, the shape recovery of cast FeMnSi alloys can be further improved. Such a finding will provide a novel method for developing training‐free FeMnSi shape memory alloys.
Melt Electrospinning
Authors: Hutmacher Dietmar W. , Dalton Paul D. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractMelt electrospinning is relatively under‐investigated compared to solution electrospinning but provides opportunities in numerous areas, in which solvent accumulation or toxicity are a concern. These applications are diverse, and provide a broad set of challenges to researchers involved in electrospinning. In this context, melt electrospinning provides an alternative approach that bypasses some challenges to solution electronspinning, while bringing new issues to the forefront, such as the thermal stability of polymers. This Focus Review describes the literature on melt electrospinning, as well as highlighting areas where both melt and solution are combined, and potentially merge together in the future.
Irreversible effects of retinoic acid pulse onXenopusjaw morphogenesis: new insight into cranial neural crest specificationb
Authors: Vieux‐Rochas Maxence , Bouhali Kamal , Baudry Sabrina , Fontaine Anastasia , Coen Laurent , Levi Giovanni 
Published: November 2010

AbstractJaws are formed by cephalic neural crest (CNCCs) and mesodermal cells migrating to the first pharyngeal arch (PA1). A complex signaling network involving different PA1 components then establishes the jaw morphogenetic program. To gather insight on this developmental process, in this study, we analyze the teratogenic effects of brief (1–15 min) pulses of low doses of retinoic acid (RA: 0.25–2 µM) or RA agonists administered to earlyXenopus laevis(X.l.) embryos. We show that these brief pulses of RA cause permanent craniofacial defects specifically when treatments are performed during a 6‐hr window (developmental stages NF15–NF23) that covers the period of CNCCs maintenance, migration, and specification. Earlier or later treatments have no effect. Similar treatments performed at slightly different developmental stages within this temporal window give rise to different spectra of malformations. The RA‐dependent teratogenic effects observed inXenopuscan be partially rescued by folinic acid. We provide evidence suggesting that inXenopus, as in the mouse, RA causes craniofacial malformations by perturbing signaling to CNCCs. Differently from the mouse, where RA affects CNCCs only at the end of their migration, inXenopus,RA has an effect on CNCCs during all the period ranging from their exit from the neural tube until their arrival in the PA1. Our findings provide a conceptual framework to understand the origin of individual facial features and the evolution of different craniofacial morphotypes.Birth Defects Res (Part B)89:493–503, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tissue engineering for clinical applications
Authors: Bhatia Sujata K. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractTissue engineering is increasingly being recognized as a beneficial means for lessening the global disease burden. One strategy of tissue engineering is to replace lost tissues or organs with polymeric scaffolds that contain specialized populations of living cells, with the goal of regenerating tissues to restore normal function. Typical constructs for tissue engineering employ biocompatible and degradable polymers, along with organ‐specific and tissue‐specific cells. Once implanted, the construct guides the growth and development of new tissues; the polymer scaffold degrades away to be replaced by healthy functioning tissue. The ideal biomaterial for tissue engineering not only defends against disease and supports weakened tissues or organs, it also provides the elements required for healing and repair, stimulates the body's intrinsic immunological and regenerative capacities, and seamlessly interacts with the living body. Tissue engineering has been investigated for virtually every organ system in the human body. This review describes the potential of tissue engineering to alleviate disease, as well as the latest advances in tissue regeneration. The discussion focuses on three specific clinical applications of tissue engineering: cardiac tissue regeneration for treatment of heart failure; nerve regeneration for treatment of stroke; and lung regeneration for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Chitin deacetylase product inhibition
Authors: Jaworska Malgorzata M. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractChitin deacetylase is the only known enzyme catalyzing the hydrolysis of the acetamino linkage in the N‐acetylglucosamine units of chitin and chitosan. This reaction can play an important role in enzymatic production of chitosan from chitin, or in enzymatic modification of chitosan, which has applications in medicine, pharmacy or plant protection. It was previously shown that acetic acid, a product of the deacetylation process, may act as an inhibitor of chitin deacetylase. Here we show the mechanism of inhibition of chitin deacetylase isolated from Absidia orchidis vel coerulea by acetic acid released during the deacetylation process. The process follows competitive inhibition with respect to acetic acid with an inhibition constant of Ki = 0.286 mmol/L. These results will help to find the optimal system to carry out the enzymatic deacetylation process for industrial applications.
Financial research in Canada: A long‐term assessment of journal publications
Authors: Chan Kam C. , Chang Chih‐Hsiang , Chen Yining 
Published: November 2010

AbstractWe examined the financial research among Canadian academic institutions between 1990–2008. Overall, Canadian institutions contribute 3.79% of all publications in 23 leading finance journals. The five most productive universities are the University of British Columbia, the University of Toronto, Wilfrid Laurier University, McGill University, and the University of Alberta. The research productivity of Canadian universities is comparable to their counterparts in Australia and the UK. However, when examining only the top four finance journals, Canadian universities clearly outperform their counterparts in Australia and the UK. In addition, we find that the sufficiency of research funding, the size of faculty, as well as the assembly of a cohort of research‐active faculty contribute to the research productivity of finance programs in Canada. Copyright © 2010 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Artificial [FeFe]‐Hydrogenase: On Resin Modification of an Amino Acid to Anchor a Hexacarbonyldiiron Cluster in a Peptide Framework
Authors: Roy Souvik , Shinde Sandip , Hamilton G. Alexander , Hartnett Hilairy E. , Jones Anne K. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractA general method for immobilization of synthetic analogues of the [FeFe]‐hydrogenase in designed peptides via on resin modification of an amino acid side chain with a dithiol functional group is described. Utilizing a unique amine side chain as anchor, the dithiol unit is coupled to the peptide via formation of an amide. This dithiol unit precisely positions the two required sulfur atoms for the formation of a [(μ‐SRS){Fe(CO)3}2] cluster on reaction with [Fe3(CO)12]. UV/Vis and FTIR spectroscopy demonstrate formation of the desired complex.
Synthesis and Preferred Conformations of All Regio‐ and Diastereoisomeric Methyl 2,3‐Fluorohydroxyalkanoates
Authors: Husstedt Wibke S. , Wiehle Susanne , Stillig Christian , Bergander Klaus , Grimme Stefan , Haufe Günter 
Published: November 2010

AbstractSelective syntheses of enantiopure regio‐ and diastereomeric methyl 2,3‐fluoro‐hydroxyalkanoates via four different routes employing two types of fluorination reagents are reported. The anti‐ and syn‐3‐fluoro‐2‐hydroxyalkanoates 1 and 3 were prepared by treating the corresponding epoxides with Olah's reagent (Py·9HF). Cyclic sulfates prepared from the enantiomeric diols were ring‐opened with TBAF to give the anti‐ and syn‐2‐fluoro‐3‐hydroxyalkanoates 2 and 4. Thestereochemical analysis was performed mainly by NMR spectroscopy. Applying DFT/B3LYP and SCS‐MP2 quantum chemical methods, the coupling constants and relative energies of conformers were calculated. Solvent effects were considered using the COSMO continuum model.