bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment of Synthetic Olefin Plant Wastewater at Various Salt Concentrations in a Membrane Bioreactor
Authors: Sadeghi Fatemeh , Mehrnia Mohammad Reza , Nabizadeh Ramin , Sarrafzadeh Mohammad Hossein 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate the effect of salt concentration on performance of a membrane bioreactor (MBR) for treating an olefin plant wastewater. For this purpose, a lab‐scale submerged MBR with a flat‐sheet ultrafiltration membrane was used for treatment of synthetic wastewater according to oxidation and neutralization unit of olefin plant. The synthetic wastewater was adjusted to have 500 mg/L chemical oxygen demand (COD). Trials on different concentrations of sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) (0–20 000 ppm) in the feed were conducted under aerobic conditions in the MBR. The results showed that increasing the salt concentrations causes an increase in the effluent COD, phenol, and oil concentrations. These results are due to reduction of the membrane filtration efficiency and also decline in the microbial activity that it is indicated by decreasing the sOUR in MBR. But in all the trials, the effluent COD and oil concentration was well within the local discharge limit of 100 and 10 mg/L, respectively. These results indicate that the MBR system is highly efficient for treating the olefin plant wastewater, and although high salt concentrations decreased organic contaminant removal rates in the MBR, the effluent still met the discharge limits for treating the olefin plant wastewater.
Structural plasticity of hippocampal mossy fiber synapses as revealed by high‐pressure freezing
Authors: Zhao Shanting , Studer Daniel , Chai Xuejun , Graber Werner , Brose Nils , Nestel Sigrun , Young Christina , Rodriguez E. Patricia , Saetzler Kurt , Frotscher Michael 
Published: January 2012

AbstractDespite recent progress in fluorescence microscopy techniques, electron microscopy (EM) is still superior in the simultaneous analysis of all tissue components at high resolution. However, it is unclear to what extent conventional fixation for EM using aldehydes results in tissue alteration. Here we made an attempt to minimize tissue alteration by using rapid high‐pressure freezing (HPF) of hippocampal slice cultures. We used this approach to monitor fine‐structural changes at hippocampal mossy fiber synapses associated with chemically induced long‐term potentiation (LTP). Synaptic plasticity in LTP has been known to involve structural changes at synapses including reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and de novo formation of spines. While LTP‐induced formation and growth of postsynaptic spines have been reported, little is known about associated structural changes in presynaptic boutons. Mossy fiber synapses are assumed to exhibit presynaptic LTP expression and are easily identified by EM. In slice cultures from wildtype mice, we found that chemical LTP increased the length of the presynaptic membrane of mossy fiber boutons, associated with a de novo formation of small spines and an increase in the number of active zones. Of note, these changes were not observed in slice cultures from Munc13‐1 knockout mutants exhibiting defective vesicle priming. These findings show that activation of hippocampal mossy fibers induces pre‐ and postsynaptic structural changes at mossy fiber synapses that can be monitored by EM. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:2340–2351, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals Inc.
Sprouting of colonic afferent central terminals and increased spinal mitogen‐activated protein kinase expression in a mouse model of chronic visceral hypersensitivity
Authors: Harrington Andrea M. , Brierley Stuart M. , Isaacs Nicole , Hughes Patrick A. , Castro Joel , Blackshaw L. Ashley 
Published: January 2012

AbstractVisceral pain following infection or inflammation is a major clinical problem. Although we have knowledge of how peripheral endings of colonic afferents change in disease, their central projections have been overlooked. With neuroanatomical tracing and colorectal distension (CRD), we sought to identify colonic afferent central terminals (CACTs), the dorsal horn (DH) neurons activated by colonic stimuli in the thoracolumbar (T10–L1) DH, and determine how they are altered by postinflammatory chronic colonic mechanical hypersensitivity. Retrograde tracing from the colon identified CACTs in the DH, whereas immunohistochemistry for phosphorylated MAP kinase ERK 1/2 (pERK) identified DH neurons activated by CRD (80 mmHg). In healthy mice, CACTs were located primarily in DH laminae I (LI) and V (LV) and projected down middle and lateral DH collateral pathways. CRD evoked pERK immunoreactivity in DH neurons, the majority of which were located in LI and LV, the same regions as CACTs. In postinflammatory mice, CACTs were significantly increased in T12–L1 compared with healthy mice. Although CACTs remained abundant in LI, they were more widespread and were now present in deeper laminae. After CRD, significantly more DH neurons were pERK‐IR postinflammation (T12–L1), with abundant expression in LI and deeper laminae. In both healthy and postinflammatory mice, many pERK neurons were in close apposition to CACTs, suggesting that colonic afferents can stimulate specific DH neurons in response to noxious CRD. Overall, we demonstrate that CACT density and the number of responsive DH neurons in the spinal cord increase postinflammation, which may facilitate aberrant central representation of colonic nociceptive signaling following chronic peripheral hypersensitivity. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:2241–2255, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative analysis of neocortical gyrencephaly in African elephants (Loxodonta africana) and six species of cetaceans: Comparison with other mammals
Authors: Manger Paul R. , Prowse Michelle , Haagensen Mark , Hemingway Jason 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis study provides quantitative data on the extent of gyrencephaly in the large‐brained African elephant and several species of cetaceans (from smaller to larger brained) in comparison with other mammals. Across three mammalian orders (primates, carnivores, and artiodactyls), the species with the larger brains are more gyrencephalic with each order, exhibiting a specific negative allometry. The African elephant, with a 5‐kg brain, has a gyrencephalic index (GI) of 3.89, which, though highly gyrencephalic, is not more so than would be predicted for a mammal with a 5‐kg brain. The cetaceans had an average GI of 5.43, are the most gyrencephalic mammals studied to date, and are more gyrencephalic than one would predict based on comparison with other mammals. No relationship between brain mass and GI was evident in the cetaceans as seen in other mammals, with all cetaceans showing similar GIs irrespective of brain mass (range of GI 5.23–5.70, range of brain mass 577–5617 g). This is yet another parameter indicating cetaceans to be neuroanatomical outliers. Two species of pinnipeds studied had GIs that were well above those seen for terrestrial carnivores, and the aquatic manatee was close to lissencephalic. Thus, all three groups of marine mammals showed unusual extents of cortical gyrencephaly, indicating a morphological alteration of the telencephalon associated with the return to the marine environment. The analysis suggests that cortical thickness and neuronal density are important factors in determining the extent of gyrencephaly across mammalian species. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:2430–2439, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals Inc.
Nonintrusive collection and management of data provenance in scientific workflows
Authors: Tylissanakis Giorgos , Cotronis Yiannis 
Published: January 2012

SUMMARYIn this paper, we introduce an efficient mechanism to collect, store, and retrieve data provenance information in workflows of multiphysics simulations. Using notifications, we enable the nonintrusive collection of information about workflow events during workflow execution. Combining these events with workflow structure information, constant for every execution of a workflow, we obtain the data provenance information for the specific run of the workflow. Data provenance information is structured into a graph that represents workflow events on the basis of their causal dependency. We use a graph database to store this graph and utilize the traversal framework provided, to efficiently retrieve data provenance information from the graph by traversing backwards from a data object to every workflow event that is part of its provenance. Finally, we integrate data provenance information with semantics of workflow services to provide complete and meaningful data provenance information. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tweezer‐like Complexes of Crown Ethers with Divalent Metals: Probing Cation‐Size‐Dependent Conformations by Vibrational Spectroscopy in the Gas Phase
Authors: Gámez Francisco , Hurtado Paola , Hamad Said , Martínez‐Haya Bruno , Berden Giel , Oomens Jos 
Published: January 2012

AbstractCrown ethers constitute central building blocks for the synthesis of molecular tweezers capable of trapping cationic species. In this study, isolated ternary complexes comprising two [18]crown‐6 (18c6) ether molecules and one divalent cation of varying size (Cu2+, Ca2+, Ba2+) are investigated by means of laser vibrational action spectroscopy and computations. In the ternary (18c6)2–Cu2+ complex, one of the crown units folds tightly around the cation, while the second crown ether unit binds peripherally. Such asymmetrical binding manifests itself as a bimodal splitting of the vibrational bands measured for the complex. The size of the cation in the Ca2+ and Ba2+ complexes leads to a progressively more symmetrical coordination of the two crown ether molecules with the metal. In particular, in the spectrum of the (18c6)2–Ba2+ complex, the two components of the vibrational bands are merged into single‐maximum envelopes. This is consistent with a C2 arrangement predicted by the computation, in which the cation coordinates with the two crown ether units in a fully symmetrical way.
A study on the association of serum 1,5‐anhydroglucitol levels and the hyperglycaemic excursions as measured by continuous glucose monitoring system among people with type 2 diabetes in China
Authors: Wang Y. , Zhang Y. L. , Wang Y. P. , Lei C. H. , Sun Z. L. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundBlood glucose excursion is an important component of the glycaemic burden, but there are no indexes that can directly reflect them. The aim was to evaluate the values and significance of serum 1,5‐anhydroglucitol (1,5‐AG) in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in China and to elucidate the relationship between 1,5‐AG and traditional indexes of glycaemic excursions by continuous glucose monitoring.MethodsA total of 576 healthy adults and 292 patients were included, and their 1,5‐AG, fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose and glycated haemoglobin were measured. For the 34 patients, their mean blood glucose, standard deviation of blood glucose, mean amplitude of glucose excursion, mean of daily differences, low blood glucose M‐value index and the area under the curve for blood glucose above 180 mg/dL were calculated by use of a continuous glucose monitoring system.ResultsSerum levels of 1,5‐AG among healthy adults were 28.44 ± 8.76 µg/mL with a significant gender bias rather than age bias. The 1,5‐AG levels in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus were 4.57 ± 3.71 µg/mL, which were lower than those seen in the healthy adults. There was a correlation between 1,5‐AG and glycated haemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, and postprandial blood glucose (r = −0.251, −0.195 and −0.349, respectively; all had p < 0.05). The continuous glucose monitoring system demonstrated that 1,5‐AG presents a negative correlation with mean blood glucose, standard deviation of blood glucose, mean amplitude of glucose excursion and mean of daily differences for 7 days and with the area under the curve for blood glucose above 180 mg/dL on the third, fourth and seventh days.Conclusions1,5‐AG may serve as a marker of hyperglycaemia and 7‐day hyperglycaemic excursions as well as being a useful adjunct to glycated haemoglobin for blood glucose monitoring in patients with diabetes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure‐function analysis of endogenous lectin mind‐the‐gap in synaptogenesis
Authors: Rushton Emma , Rohrbough Jeffrey , Deutsch Kalie , Broadie Kendal 
Published: January 2012

AbstractMind‐the‐Gap (MTG) is required for neuronal induction of Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) postsynaptic domains, including glutamate receptor (GluR) localization. We have previously hypothesized that MTG is secreted from the presynaptic terminal to reside in the synaptic cleft, where it binds glycans to organize the heavily glycosylated, extracellular synaptomatrix required for transsynaptic signaling between neuron and muscle. In this study, we test this hypothesis with MTG structure‐function analyses of predicted signal peptide (SP) and carbohydrate‐binding domain (CBD), by introducing deletion and point‐mutant transgenic constructs into mtg null mutants. We show that the SP is required for MTG secretion and localization to synapses in vivo. We further show that the CBD is required to restrict MTG diffusion in the extracellular synaptomatrix and for postembryonic viability. However, CBD mutation results in elevation of postsynaptic GluR localization during synaptogenesis, not the mtg null mutant phenotype of reduced GluRs as predicted by our hypothesis, suggesting that proper synaptic localization of MTG limits GluR recruitment. In further testing CBD requirements, we show that MTG binds N‐acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) in a Ca2+‐dependent manner, and thereby binds HRP‐epitope glycans, but that these carbohydrate interactions do not require the CBD. We conclude that the MTG lectin has both positive and negative binding interactions with glycans in the extracellular synaptic domain, which both facilitate and limit GluR localization during NMJ embryonic synaptogenesis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2012
Syntheses, Structure, and Reactivity of Amino(azido)stibanes
Authors: Lehmann Mathias , Schulz Axel , Villinger Alexander 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAmino(azido)stibanes Mes*N(SiMe3)Sb(N3)X (X = N3, Cl, OTf) were synthesized and fully characterized. Their structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and are rare examples of antimony azides. On account of weak Sb···X van der Waals interactions, centrosymmetric dimers are observed in the solid state. Mes*N(SiMe3)Sb(OTf)X species (X = Cl, N3, and OTf; OTf = triflate = CF3SO3–) are labile with respect to Me3Si–OTf elimination even at ambient temperatures and form in situ the highly reactive iminostibane Mes*N=SbX, which rapidly decomposes. Diazide Mes*N(SiMe3)Sb(N3)2 slowly decomposes when a Lewis acid such as B(C6F5)3 is present, thus leading to the formation of a salt that bears a heterocyclic Sb–N dication and an [N3–B(C6F5)3]– adduct anion in good yields.
Effect of TAG composition on the solid fat content profile, microstructure, and hardness of model fat blends with identical saturated fatty acid content
Authors: De Graef Veerle , Vereecken Jeroen , Smith Kevin W. , Bhaggan Krish , Dewettinck Koen 
Published: January 2012

AbstractTAGs play an important role in determining the functional properties of fat‐based food products such as margarines, chocolate, and spreads. Nowadays, special attention is given to the role of the TAG structure and how it affects functional properties such as mouth feel, texture, and plasticity. Key to this research is the need to develop more healthy fats with a reduced level of trans and saturated fatty acids (SFAs), while maintaining the desired properties. In this study, fat blends with identical levels of SFA (50%) but differing in the ratio asymmetric/symmetric blends were evaluated by pulsed NMR and texturometry as a function of storage time and storage temperature. A higher trisaturated TAG content gave rise to a higher solid fat content (SFC) at higher temperature and a lower SFC at lower temperature for both palmitic and stearic based blends. On the other hand, the effect of symmetry on the SFC‐profile of the blends was only clear for the stearic based blends. At lower temperatures, the SFC of symmetric TAG based blend (blend SM) was markedly lower than that of asymmetric TAG based blend (blend iS). However, from 30°C onwards, the SFC of blend SM was clearly higher than that of blend iS. The microscopic analyses revealed a denser crystal network for a higher degree of trisaturated TAG and for symmetric stearic based blends. Moreover, some blends showed a clear evolution of the microstructure during storage with smaller crystals transforming into larger ones. Finally, texture analyses demonstrated the importance of the crystallization and storage temperature on the hardness of the blends.
Wax, policosanol, and long‐chain aldehydes of different sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) cultivars
Authors: Asikin Yonathan , Takahashi Makoto , Hirose Naoto , Hou De‐Xing , Takara Kensaku , Wada Koji 
Published: January 2012

AbstractSugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) wax that contains policosanol (a mixture of long‐chain alcohols), is widely known to have beneficial effects on human health. In order to investigate differences in the composition and content of sugarcane wax in different sugarcane cultivars, the wax, policosanol, and long‐chain aldehyde composition of eight sugarcane cultivars were examined. The wax composition of sugarcane was analyzed using HPLC coupled with an evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD). Sugarcane waxes were comprised of 55–60% aldehyde and sterol esters, 32–40% alcohol, and small amounts of TAG, acid, and plant sterols. Additionally, the composition of policosanol and long‐chain aldehydes was determined using GC‐FID and their mass fragment compounds were identified using GC‐MS. The highest content of policosanol and long‐chain aldehyde compounds (500 mg and 600 mg/100 g rind, respectively), was found in the hand‐peeled rind of the Ni 22 sugarcane cultivar. The content of these compounds increased up to 72% during sugarcane maturation from October to January. This study indicated that the composition and content of wax, policosanol, and long‐chain aldehydes may vary depending on the cultivar of the sugarcane and the specific part of the sugarcane analyzed, as well as on the degree of sugarcane maturity.Practical applications: Different sugarcane cultivars have been evaluated in terms of their usefulness as a source of policosanol, which is a valuable wax component that may have beneficial effects on human health. Policosanol is the common name that refers to a group of long‐chain (C20–C30) aliphatic primary alcohols that are of great interest since their effects include reduction of platelet aggregation, reduction of low‐density lipoprotein levels in blood, inhibition of cholesterol synthesis, and prevention of atherosclerosis development, and which also display ergogenic properties. The present study detailed the wax composition, including that of policosanol and long‐chain aldehydes, of sugarcanes of different cultivars. The results of this study could provide a basis for selection of sugarcane cultivars in agricultural areas for wax or policosanol production.
Study of sphingolipids oxidation by ESI tandem MS
Authors: Melo Tânia , Maciel Elisabete , Oliveira Maria Manuel , Domingues Pedro , Domingues Maria R. M. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractSphingolipids are a class of lipids that play important cellular roles both as structural components of membranes and as signaling molecules. They have also an active participation in apoptosis and inflammation processes which are associated with oxidative stress conditions. However, no studies so far accomplished the oxidative modification of sphingolipids under oxidative stress conditions. In the present study, different sphingolipids, ((d18:1/16:0) sphingomyelin (N‐palmitoyl‐D‐erythro‐sphingosylphosphorylcholine, SM), (d18:1) sphingosylphosphorylcholine (a lysosphingolipid, SPC), and (d18:1/18:0) ceramide (Cer)) were oxidized by the hydroxyl radical, generated under Fenton reaction conditions, and the oxidation reaction was monitored by ESI‐MS in positive mode. No oxidation products were identified for Cer under the oxidative conditions used, while ESI‐MS spectra of SPC and SM after oxidation show some oxidation products that were analyzed by ESI‐MS/MS. This approach allowed identifying hydroxyl and keto derivatives of SPC and acetaldehydephosphorylcholine derivative (m/z 226). SM oxidation occurs exclusively in sphingosine backbone with formation of SPC, hydroxyl, and keto derivatives of SPC and the oxidation product at m/z 226. This study may give new insight and could help to understanding the behavior and biological roles of the sphingolipids under oxidative stress conditions.
An Ammonia‐Triggered Stereocontrolled Conversion of a γ‐Lactone to the Central Tetrahydropyran of Pederin, Psymberin, and Onnamides D–F
Authors: Buffham William J. , Swain Nigel A. , Kostiuk Sarah L. , Gonçalves Théo P. , Harrowven David C. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe onnamides, pederin, and psymberin have each attracted attention because of their potent biological activity and interesting structural features. A short (eight steps) and efficient stereocontrolled route to the central tetrahydropyran ring in these natural products has been developed from (S)‐malic acid. The key sequence involves the conversion of a γ‐lactone to a tetrahydropyran structure triggered by the addition of ammonia.
A Photodynamic Library of Tetrasulfinylcalix[4]arenes: The Sulfinyl Dance
Authors: Cacciapaglia Roberta , Di Stefano Stefano , Lanzalunga Osvaldo , Maugeri Leonardo , Mazzonna Marco 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe photoinversion of sulfoxides has been exploited to generate a photodynamic combinatorial library (PDCL) of tetrasulfinylcalix[4]arenes. Irrespective of the starting isomer, the same product distribution is obtained at the photostationary state upon irradiation at a given wavelength. The order of appearance of the different isomers in the reaction mixture plays a key role in the disclosure of the identity of all the isomers of the PDCL.
Electrochemical Characterisation of Polypyrrole Doped with p‐Sulfonatocalix[4]arene
Authors: Doyle Richard , Breslin Carmel B. , Power Orla , Rooney A. Denise 
Published: January 2012

AbstractPolypyrrole (PPy) films doped with macrocyclic calixarene anions are attractive materials for the development of selective sensor materials and membrane systems as the incorporation of the macrocycles can confer specific recognition sites within the polymer matrix. However, unlike many other PPy films a calixarene‐doped system is more complicated as calixarenes are themselves electroactive. Here we present results on the electroactivity, impedance properties and morphology of polypyrrole doped with p‐sulfonatocalix[4]arene. The calixarene in the polymer was found to be irreversibly oxidised at potentials greater than 0.500 V vs. SCE and reacted to form a new redox active species that was trapped within the polymer matrix. The results from the impedance and EQCM studies indicated that the calixarene was permanently trapped within the polymer matrix and the polymer acted as a cation exchange material. In addition, the data acquired from the EQCM experiments showed that while the material displayed simple cation exchange properties at high scan rates, at lower scan rates the transport of neutral species was also observed. Overall, our findings indicate that the PPy‐C4S system is suitable for use as a stable conducting polymer doped with an immobile anion within the potential window of −0.800 V to 0.500 V vs. SCE.