bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Facilitation of Gene Transfection and Cell Adhesion by Gelatin‐Functionalized PCL Film Surfaces
Authors: Yuan Wei , Li Chunyan , Zhao Chen , Sui Chenguang , Yang Wan‐Tai , Xu Fu‐Jian , Ma Jie 
Published: February 2012

AbstractEfficient local gene transfection on a tissue scaffold is of crucial importance in facilitating tissue repair and regeneration. In this work, the gelatin‐functionalized polycaprolactone (PCL) film surfaces are prepared via surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate. The resultant covalent attachment of gelatin could enhance the cell‐adhesion and local gene transfection properties. The gelatin‐functionalized PCL film surfaces exhibit excellent cell‐adhesion ability to both adherent and suspension cells. The attached adherent cells demonstrate the characteristic elongated morphologies with good spreading capability, while the attached suspension cells can maintain the original status of the round morphologies without spreading. More importantly, the gelatin coupled on the PCL surface could be used to absorb the cationic vector/plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (pDNA) complexes via electrostatic interaction. The local gene transfection property on the immobilized cells is dependent on both the density of the immobilized cells and the loading types of pDNA complexes. The transfection efficiency of different assemble methods of pDNA complex was compared. With the pre‐ and post‐loading sandwich‐like gene transfection, the gelatin‐functionalized PCL film surface can substantially enhance the transfection properties to different cell lines. The present study is very useful to spatially control local gene delivery within PCL‐based tissue scaffolds.
Stimuli‐Free Reversible and Controllable Loading and Release of Proteins under Physiological Conditions by Exponentially Growing Nanoporous Multilayered Structure
Authors: Yuan Weiyong , Lu Zhisong , Wang Huili , Li Chang Ming 
Published: February 2012

AbstractA unique delivery system to reversibly and controllably load and release proteins under physiological conditions is desirable for protein therapeutics. We fabricate an ultrafast exponentially growing nanoporous multilayer structure comprised of two weak polyelectrolytes, poly(ethyleneimine) and alginate with thickness and chemical composition controlled by the assembly pH. For the first time, the assembled multilayered structure demonstrates stimuli‐free reversible protein loading and release capability at physiological conditions by a synthetic material. The protein loading and release time can also be controlled by the assembled bilayer number. The highest loading capacity for the target protein and longest release time of proteins for layer‐by‐layer films reported to date have been achieved with a 15‐bilayered film fabricated in this work. The prominent properties of the assembled film provide great potential for various biomedical applications, especially as a delivery system for protein therapeutics.
Wear‐Resistant Nanoscale Silicon Carbide Tips for Scanning Probe Applications
Authors: Lantz Mark A. , Gotsmann Bernd , Jaroenapibal Papot , Jacobs Tevis D. B. , O'Connor Sean D. , Sridharan Kumar , Carpick Robert W. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe search for hard materials to extend the working life of sharp tools is an age‐old problem. In recent history, sharp tools must also often withstand high temperatures and harsh chemical environments. Nanotechnology extends this quest to tools such as scanning probe tips that must be sharp on the nanoscale, but still very physically robust. Unfortunately, this combination is inherently contradictory, as mechanically strong, chemically inert materials tend to be difficult to fabricate with nanoscale fidelity. Here a novel process is described, whereby the surfaces of pre‐existing, nanoscale Si tips are exposed to carbon ions and then annealed, to form a strong silicon carbide (SiC) layer. The nanoscale sharpness is largely preserved and the tips exhibit a wear resistance that is orders of magnitude greater than that of conventional silicon tips and at least 100‐fold higher than that of monolithic, SiO‐doped diamond‐like‐carbon (DLC) tips. The wear is well‐described by an atom‐by‐atom wear model, from which kinetic parameters are extracted that enable the prediction of the long‐time scale reliability of the tips.
Cancer and coagulation
Authors: Khorana Alok A. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThromboembolism, including both venous and arterial events, occurs commonly amongst patients with cancer. The occurrence of thromboembolism has significant consequences for cancer patients, including direct and indirect associations with mortality, morbidity, requirement for long‐term anticoagulant therapy and consumption of healthcare resources. Recent studies have resulted in a better understanding of clinical risk factors and biomarkers of cancer‐associated thrombosis, and a risk assessment model incorporating both has now been validated in multiple settings. Thromboprophylaxis with either unfractionated heparin or low‐molecular‐weight heparins (LMWHs) has been shown to be safe and effective in high‐risk settings such as hospitalization for medical illness and the postsurgical period. Emerging new data from randomized studies have focused on outpatient prophylaxis, suggesting potential benefits in this setting as well. Treatment of cancer‐associated thrombosis requires long‐term anticoagulation with LMWH. Results from ongoing and planned trials of novel anticoagulants in the cancer setting are awaited. Am. J. Hematol. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Congenital heart defects in a novel recurrent 22q11.2 deletion harboring the genes CRKL and MAPK1
Authors: Breckpot Jeroen , Thienpont Bernard , Bauters Marijke , Tranchevent Leon‐Charles , Gewillig Marc , Allegaert Karel , Vermeesch Joris R. , Moreau Yves , Devriendt Koenraad 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe proximal region of the long arm of chromosome 22 is rich in low copy repeats (LCR). Non‐allelic homologous recombination (NAHR) between these substrates explains the high prevalence of recurrent rearrangements within this region. We have performed array comparative genomic hybridization in a normally developing girl with growth delay, microcephaly, and truncus arteriosus, and have identified a novel recurrent 22q11 deletion that spans LCR22‐4 and partially affects the common 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and the distal 22q11 deletion syndrome. This deletion is atypical as it did not occur by NAHR between any of the major LCRs found on 22q11.2. However, the breakpoint containing regions coincide with highly homologous regions. An identical imbalance was reported previously in a patient with striking phenotypic similarity. Computational gene prioritization methods and biological evidence denote the genes CRKL and MAPK1 as the highest ranking candidates for causing congenital heart disease within the deleted region. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Comparison of Visualization Techniques for Models Created from Airborne Laser Scanned Data
Authors: Bennett Rebecca , Welham Kate , Hill Ross a. , Ford Andrew 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTThe uptake of airborne laser scanned (ALS) data (commonly known as airborne lidar) for heritage landscape assessment has grown rapidly in the past decade as data have become increasingly available. Likewise there has been a recent upsurge in published techniques for modelling the ground surface from ALS data to highlight archaeological features. However, many end‐users of the data are not trained in remote sensing and visualization techniques and the lack of comparative assessment of techniques has increased the complexity of interpretation of the ALS‐derived models. This study quantitatively compares five visualization techniques ranging from the commonly used shaded relief model to newer local relief and sky view factor modelling for a study area in the UK. Outputs are compared with the baseline data of the English Heritage National Mapping Programme aerial photographic archive transcription and assessed with respect to percentage visibility of feature length. Ancillary aspects of the outputs are discussed, such as geospatial shift of features, suitability for profile mapping, ease of interpretation and ability to combine with other data sources. It is concluded that although the overall performance of the models in terms of feature recognition is relatively even, consideration of all factors enables more transparent modelling choices to be made and facilitates critical interpretation of the features recorded. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Intelligent Robust Tracking Control for a Class of Electrically Driven Mobile Robots
Authors: Chang Yeong‐Chan , Yen Hui‐Min , Wang Ping‐Tsung 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThis paper addresses the problem of designing robust tracking control for a class of uncertain wheeled mobile robots actuated by brushed direct current motors. This class of electrically‐driven mechanical systems consists of the robot kinematics, the robot dynamics, and the wheel actuator dynamics. Via the backstepping technique, an intelligent robust tracking control scheme that integrates a kinematic controller and an adaptive neural network‐based (or fuzzy‐based) controller is developed such that all of the states and signals of the closed‐loop system are bounded and the tracking error can be made as small as possible. Two adaptive approximation systems are constructed to learn the behaviors of unknown mechanical and electrical dynamics. The effects of both the approximation errors and the unmodeled time‐varying perturbations in the input and virtual‐input weighting matrices are counteracted by suitably tuning the control gains. Consequently, the robust control scheme developed here can be employed to handle a broader class of electrically‐driven wheeled mobile robots in the presence of high‐degree time‐varying uncertainties. Finally, a simulation example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed control scheme.
Kunstbauten – Ingenieurkunst
Authors: Ommert Christian , Marx Steffen 
Published: February 2012

AbstractIn den Dienstvorschriften (DV) der Deutschen Reichsbahn, den Dienstsachen (DS) der Deutschen Bundesbahn und bis zum Jahr 2006 auch in der RIL 809 der heutigen Deutschen Bahn wurden Brücken, Tunnel, Unterführungen und sonstige konstruktive Ingenieurbauwerke unter dem Oberbegriff Kunstbauten zusammengefasst. Auch in der Schweiz und in Österreich ist der Begriff sowohl für Straßen‐ als auch Eisenbahnbrücken weit verbreitet. Ursprünglich aus dem Wortgebrauch “künstliches Bauwerk” abgeleitet, beinhaltet die heutige Lesart einen starken Zusammenhang zur Ingenieurkunst und zur kreativen Leistung des Entwurfsprozesses von Ingenieurbauwerken. Es wird der Frage nachgegangen, was Kunstbauten auszeichnet und worin als Äquivalent dazu die Kunst des Ingenieurs besteht. Was bedeutet Ingenieurkunst im konstruktiven Ingenieurbau heute, welche Bedingungen liegen dazu vor und unter welchen Voraussetzungen kann sie im Besonderen im Brückenbau ihrem Wortsinn gerecht werden? Anhand von Beispielen aktueller Bauwerke werden die Schwierigkeiten und deren Lösung dabei aufgezeigt.Structural art – the art of engineers.In former codes and guidelines of the German Railway, bridges, tunnels, underpasses and other engineering structures are summarized under the general term “Kunstbauwerke” (“Artistic Structures”). In Switzerland and Austria, this term is still very commonly used for both, street bridges as well as railway bridges. Originally derived from the term “artificial structure” the contemporary interpretation contains also a strong relationship to structural art and to the creative process of the design of structures. The paper follows the question what distinguishes structural art and the art of engineers. What does structural art in bridge design mean today and which conditions and requirements have to be considered? Using actual examples, challenges and solutions in bridge design are illustrated.
Keynotes on bridges in Spain since the mid‐1980's
Authors: Corres Hugo , Romo José 
Published: February 2012

AbstractSpanish bridge engineering has developed creative and efficient answers to the challenges set by the extraordinary development of road and railway infrastructure during the last 25 years. This process provides continuity to the great tradition of good bridge engineering practice based on the ambition of overcoming such engineering challenges. These efforts also resulted in the exploration of new fields: typology, by generating new ideas to improve structural behavior; construction methods, by using new technologies (many of them perfected for other fields of activity) and by innovations using new specific methods for particular cases; structural materials by exploring the benefits of their new possibilities, deepening in the use of traditional composite steel‐concrete structures and starting a very interesting process of using composite materials.Consistent with the old aphorism “learning by doing” the lessons learnt from these daring tasks and experiences will remain in the back of these engineers' minds which will ensure continuity for future developments. At the present and in the near future, Spanish bridge engineering must face new challenges in design and construction in foreign countries, taking advantage of the experience gained during the past 25 years.Erfahrungen im Brückenbau in Spanien seit 1985Brückenbauingenieure in Spanien haben sich mit ihren kreativen und wirtschaftlichen Lösungen den Herausforderungen der letzten 25 Jahre beim Ausbau der dortigen Straßenund Eisenbahnnetze gestellt. Diese Entwicklung steht in der langen und großen Tradition hervorragenden Brückenbaus, um solche Aufgaben zu meistern.In dieser Zeit wurde viel Neues entwickelt: Neue Typologien wurden erarbeitet, um die Tragwirkung zu verbessern; neue Technologien (viele davon für andere Aufgaben geschaffen) wurden adaptiert oder neue innovative Bauverfahren für spezifische Projekte kreiert; die Anwendung von Baustoffen wurde weiterentwickelt, resultierend z. B. in der verstärkten Nutzung von Stahl‐Verbundkonstruktionen, oder neue Verbundwerkstoffe wurden erstmals im Brückenbau eingesetzt.Im Sinne von “learning by doing” werden die Lehren und Erfahrungen dieser Aufgaben im Hinterkopf der Ingenieure bleiben und damit die Kontinuität für zukünftige Entwicklungen garantieren. Im Moment und in naher Zukunft müssen sich spanische Brückenbauingenieure den neuen Herausforderungen beim Entwurf und Bau von Brücken vor allem im Ausland stellen, wobei sie die Erfahrung der letzten 25 Jahren nutzen werden.
Mindestbewehrung zur Begrenzung der Rissbreiten in Stahlbetonbauteilen infolge des Hydratationsprozesses
Authors: Bödefeld Jörg , Ehmann Rainer , Schlicke Dirk , Tue Nguyen Viet 
Published: February 2012

AbstractZwang während des Hydratationsprozesses kann zu Rissbildung führen. Zur Sicherstellung der Gebrauchstauglichkeit müssen die Rissbreiten entsprechend den Expositionsklassen begrenzt werden. Das zurzeit in Massivbaunormen auf den Rissschnittgrößen basierende Konzept zur Ermittlung der Mindestbewehrung weist einige Schwächen auf, insbesondere für dicke Bauteile. Mit dem auf der Verformungskompatibilität basierenden, neu entwickelten Konzept können diese Schwächen aufgehoben werden. Maßgebend im neuen Konzept ist die aufzunehmende Verformungseinwirkung und nicht der Zeitpunkt der Rissbildung. Weiterhin können die wesentlichen Parameter der Betontechnologie wie Wärmeentwicklung und Nachbehandlung quantitativ erfasst werden. Die Überlagerung zwischen frühem und spätem Zwang kann ebenfalls auf einer gemeinsamen, mechanischen Grundlage beantwortet werden. Die neu gewonnenen Erkenntnisse fließen bereits in das neue Merkblatt “Früher Zwang” der Bundesanstalt für Wasserbau ein.Minimum Reinforcement to Crack Control in Hardening Concrete Members. Part 2: New concept on base of deformation compatibilityHydration induced restraint forces can lead to crack formation in hardening concrete members. Securing serviceability and durability of the construction crack widths has to be limited according to exposition class. For this actual standards use the concept of the cracking force. This approach is not free from failings, especially for thick concrete members. The new approach introduced in this article is based on the deformation compatibility and abolishes those failures. The authoritative of this concept is the absorption of the impacting deformation, not the time of crack formation as in the former approach. Thus essential parameters of concrete technology as heat development and curing can be considered quantitative. Furthermore the superposition of early restraint and restraint forces in the use period can be analysed on a common mechanic base. These new findings are the base of the new technical report “Early Restraint” of the Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute.
Zur Geschichte der Stahlbetonflachdecke
Authors: Welsch Torsten , Held Markus 
Published: February 2012

AbstractDie Stahlbetonflachdecke hat sich aufgrund ihrer hinlänglich bekannten wirtschaftlichen und gestalterischen Vorzüge ihren festen Platz im Geschossbau erobert. Nachfolgend soll ein Rückblick auf ihre Entwicklungsgeschichte gegeben werden.
Inquiry‐based examination of chemical disruption of bacterial biofilms
Authors: Redelman Carly V. , Hawkins Misty A. W. , Drumwright Franklin R. , Ransdell Beverly , Marrs Kathleen , Anderson Gregory G. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractInquiry‐based instruction in the sciences has been demonstrated as a successful educational strategy to use for both high school and college science classrooms. As participants in the NSF Graduate STEM Fellows in K‐12 Education (GK‐12) Program, we were tasked with creating novel inquiry‐based activities for high school classrooms. As a way to introduce microbiology, molecular biology, ecology, and human health to students, we created a laboratory activity involving formation of biofilms composed of environmental bacteria from pond water and investigation into the resistance of these biofilms to antimicrobial agents. Two high schools participated in this study in different ways. Pike High School biology and advanced environmental science classrooms obtained pond water samples and grew biofilms from the bacteria in the pond water on plastic plates. They also observed killing of these biofilms by common household antimicrobial agents. As a senior capstone project, students at Arsenal Technical High School built on these research findings by isolating two different bacterial strains from the pond water and demonstrating the stimulatory effect of ethanol on biofilms formed by isolated bacterial strains. These activities were successful at introducing complex biological topics to high school students in a unique and exciting way. The students scored significantly higher on postactivity surveys compared with preactivity surveys that measured microbiology knowledge and experimental design knowledge. Furthermore, these projects seemed to elicit an excitement for science in the students who participated.
Atrial Fibrillation and Acid Reflux Disease
Authors: Velagapudi Poonam , Turagam Mohit K , Leal Miguel A , Kocheril Abraham G 
Published: February 2012

AbstractTo date, the precise mechanism of atrial fibrillation (AF) as a possible cause of reflux disease remains uncertain, although some possibilities can be postulated. Inflammation and vagal stimulation may have a key role linking these 2 common diseases. There is some evidence in the form of case reports and limited observational studies reporting that reflux disease, and more specifically esophagitis, can cause paroxysmal AF, and various mechanisms have been proposed. Some studies have demonstrated that acid suppressive therapy by proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may help ameliorate symptoms associated with AF and also facilitate conversion to normal sinus rhythm in a subset of patients. Further prospective studies are needed to determine if a true causal mechanism exists between the two and assess whether the mechanism is dependent on a specific subtype of AF. In addition, the response of AF‐related symptoms to PPI therapy and the potential for PPI therapy to reduce the development of AF merits further investigation. Clin. Cardiol. 2011 DOI: 10.1002/clc.21969The authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Postinjury administration of 17β‐estradiol induces protection in the gray and white matter with associated functional recovery after cervical spinal cord injury in male rats
Authors: Siriphorn Akkradate , Dunham Kelly A. , Chompoopong Supin , Floyd Candace L. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe majority of spinal cord injuries (SCIs) in the clinic occur at the lower cervical levels, resulting in both white and gray matter disruption. In contrast, most experimental models of SCI in rodents induce damage in the thoracic cord, resulting primarily in white matter disruption. To address this disparity, experimental cervical SCI models have been developed. Thus, we used a recently characterized model of cervical hemicontusion SCI in adult male rats to assess the potential therapeutic effect of post‐SCI administration of 17β‐estradiol. Rats received a hemicontusion at the level of the fifth cervical vertebra (C5) followed by administration of 17β‐estradiol via a slow release pellet (0.5 or 5.0 mg/pellet) beginning at 30 minutes post‐SCI. Behavioral evaluation of skilled and unskilled forelimb function and locomotor function were conducted for 7 weeks after SCI. Upon conclusion of the behavioral assessments, spinal cords were collected and histochemistry and stereology were conducted to evaluate the effect of treatment on the lesion characteristics. We found that post‐SCI administration of 17β‐estradiol decreased neuronal loss in the ventral horn, decreased reactive astrogliosis, decreased the immune response, and increased white mater sparing at the lesion epicenter. Additionally, post‐SCI administration of 17β‐estradiol improved skilled forelimb function and locomotor function. Taken together, these data suggest that post‐SCI administration of 17β‐estradiol protected both the gray and white matter in cervical SCI. Moreover, this treatment improved function on skilled motor tasks that involve both gray and white matter components, suggesting that this is likely a highly clinically relevant protective strategy. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:2630–2646, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The origin of the Drosophila subretinal pigment layer
Authors: Tomlinson Andrew 
Published: February 2012

AbstractOptical insulation plays a critical role in the fine visual acuity of the Drosophila compound eye. Screening pigments expressed by a number of cell types contribute to this phenomenon. They provide optical insulation that prevents extraneous light rays from inappropriately activating the photoreceptors. This optical insulation can be divided into two categories; the insulation of the individual ommatidia, and the insulation of the compound eye as a whole. The whole‐eye insulation is provided by two sources. The sides of the eye are optically insulated by the pigment rim, a band of pigment cells that circumscribes the eye. The base of the eye is insulated by the subretinal pigment layer; a thick layer of pigment that lies directly underneath the retina. How this subretinal pigment layer is generated has not been clearly described. Here, experiments that manipulate pigment expression during eye development suggest that the subretinal pigment layer is directly derived from pigment cells in the overlying retina. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:2676–2682, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.