bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced biogas production from herbal‐extraction process residues by microwave‐assisted alkaline pretreatment
Authors: Cheng Xi‐Yu , Liu Chun‐Zhao 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: Lignocellulosic wastes such as herbal‐extraction process residues (HPR) are not easily utilized by microorganisms owing to their physical shielding of cellulose imparted by the non‐digestible lignin. Therefore, there is a great interest to develop an efficient pretreatment technique to disrupt recalcitrant structures of lignocellulosic wastes and improve renewable energy production.RESULTS: A microwave‐assisted alkaline pretreatment (MAP) method has been developed for the enhancement of biogas production from HPR. The maximum cumulative biogas production reached 1477 mL when the HPR was hydrolyzed by MAP for 30 min with an alkali loading of 0.12 g‐NaOH/g‐HPR, where the maximum weight loss of HPR after biogas fermentation reached 72.1%.CONCLUSION: The present work demonstrated that MAP is a promising method for improving bioconversion of lignocellulosic wastes to biogas. HPR pretreated by combining microwave irradiation and alkali resulted in releasing more soluble substances from HPR and increasing the accessibility of HPR for anaerobic biodigestion compared with traditional alkaline pretreatment (AP) and microwave‐assisted water pretreatment (MWP). Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Chemical and morphological features of dental composite resin: Influence of light curing units and immersion media
Authors: Dos Santos Patrícia Aleixo , Garcia Patrícia Petromilli Nordi Sasso , De Oliveira Ana Luisa Botta Martins , Chinelatti Michelle Alexandra , Palma‐Dibb Regina Guenka 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAims:The study evaluated the influence of light curing units and immersion media on superficial morphology and chemistry of the nanofilled composite resin Supreme XT (3M) through the EDX analysis and SEM evaluation. Light curing units with different power densities and mode of application used were XL 3000 (480 mW/cm2), Jet Lite 4000 Plus (1230mW/cm2), and Ultralume Led 5 (790 mW/cm2) and immersion media were artificial saliva, Coke®, tea and coffee, totaling 12 experimental groups. Specimens (10 mm × 2 mm) were immersed in each respective solution for 5 min, three times a day, during 60 days and stored in artificial saliva at 37°C ± 1°C between immersion periods. Topography and chemical analysis was qualitative.Findings:Groups immersed in artificial saliva, showed homogeneous degradation of matrix and deposition of calcium at the material surface. Regarding coffee, there was a reasonable chemical degradation with loss of load particles and deposition of ions. For tea, superficial degradation occurred in specific areas with deposition of calcium, carbon, potassium and phosphorus. For Coke®, excessive matrix degradation and loss of load particles with deposition of calcium, sodium, and potassium.Conclusion:Light curing units did not influence the superficial morphology of composite resin tested, but the immersion beverages did. Coke® affected material's surface more than did the other tested drinks. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantitative analysis of spatial proteoglycan content in articular cartilage with Fourier transform infrared imaging spectroscopy: Critical evaluation of analysis methods and specificity of the parameters
Authors: Rieppo L. , Saarakkala S. , Närhi T. , Holopainen J. , Lammi M. , Helminen H.J. , Jurvelin J.S. , Rieppo J. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractObjective:To evaluate the specificity of the current Fourier transform infrared imaging spectroscopy (FT‐IRIS) methods for the determination of depthwise proteoglycan (PG) content in articular cartilage (AC). In addition, curve fitting was applied to study whether the specificity of FT‐IRIS parameters for PG determination could be improved.Methods:Two sample groups from the steer AC were prepared for the study (n = 8 samples/group). In the first group, chondroitinase ABC enzyme was used to degrade the PGs from the superficial cartilage, while the samples in the second group served as the controls. Samples were examined with FT‐IRIS and analyzed using previously reported direct absorption spectrum techniques and multivariate methods and, in comparison, by curve fitting. Safranin O‐stained sections were measured with digital densitometry to obtain a reference for depthwise PG distribution.Results:Carbohydrate region‐based absorption spectrum methods showed a statistically weaker correlation with the PG reference distributions than the results of the curve fitting (subpeak located approximately at 1,060 cm−1). Furthermore, the shape of the depthwise profiles obtained using the curve fitting was more similar to the reference profiles than with the direct absorption spectrum analysis.Conclusions:Results suggest that the current FT‐IRIS methods for PG analysis lack the specificity for quantitative measurement of PGs in AC. The curve fitting approach demonstrated that it is possible to improve the specificity of the PG analysis. However, the findings of the present study suggest that further development of the FT‐IRIS analysis techniques is still needed. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development and neuronal dependence of cutaneous sensory nerve formations: Lessons from neurotrophins
Authors: Montaño Juan A. , Pérez‐Piñera Pablo , García‐Suárez Olivia , Cobo Juan , Vega Jose A. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractNull mutations of genes from the NGF family of NTs and their receptors (NTRs) lead to loss/reduction of specific neurons in sensory ganglia; conversely, cutaneous overexpression of NTs results in skin hyperinnervation and increase or no changes in the number of sensory neurons innervating the skin. These neuronal changes are paralleled with loss of specific types of sensory nerve formations in the skin. Therefore, mice carrying mutations in NT or NTR genes represent an ideal model to identify the neuronal dependence of each type of cutaneous sensory nerve ending from a concrete subtype of sensory neuron, since the development, maintenance, and structural integrity of sensory nerve formations depend upon sensory neurons. Results obtained from these mouse strains suggest that TrkA positive neurons are connected to intraepithelial nerve fibers and other sensory nerve formations depending from C and Aδ nerve fibers; the neurons expressing TrkB and responding to BDNF and NT‐4 innervate Meissner corpuscles, a subpopulation of Merkell cells, some mechanoreceptors of the piloneural complex, and the Ruffini's corpuscles; finally, a subpopulation of neurons, which are responsive to NT‐3, support postnatal survival of some intraepithelial nerve fibers and Merkel cells in addition to the muscle mechanoreceptors. On the other hand, changes in NTs and NTRs affect the structure of non‐nervous structures of the skin and are at the basis of several cutaneous pathologies. This review is an update about the role of NTs and NTRs in the maintenance of normal cutaneous innervation and maintenance of skin integrity. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ultrastructural alterations in liver of mice exposed chronically and transgenerationally to aqueous extract of betel nut: Implications in betel nut‐induced carcinogenesis
Authors: Choudhury Yashmin , Sharan Rajeshwar N. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe aqueous extract of betel nut (AEBN) induces the formation of preneoplastic nodules in the liver of Swiss Albino mice and leads to increased predisposition to cancer when administered transgenerationally. The aim of this investigation was to elucidate the alterations in ultrastructure of subcellular organelles in the liver nodules using transmission electron microscopy and to determine whether these alterations have implications in AEBN‐induced carcinogenesis. Male and female Swiss Albino mice were exposed to AEBN chronically and transgenerationally at a dose of 2 mg/mL in drinking water for 24 weeks. Extensive polymorphism was noted in nuclear shape and heterochromatin organization. Heterochromatin aggregation and marginalization were observed in the nuclei of chronically exposed mice, whereas transgenerationally exposed mice exhibited dispersion or loss of heterochromatin. The nuclear envelope was disrupted, and the nucleoli were enlarged in chronically exposed mice, whereas in transgenerationally exposed mice the nucleoli were reduced in size or totally absent. The cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum were dilated and disrupted, and a large number of autophagic vesicles were observed in both chronically and transgenerationally exposed mice. Atypical mitochondria that underwent extensive cristolysis and progressively declined in size and number from the chronically exposed mice to the different generations of transgenerationally exposed mice were also observed. Thus, exposure to AEBN resulted in severe loss of ultrastructural integrity of cells in the liver nodules, and the progressive loss of mitochondrial function appeared to play a significant role in increasing the predisposition to cancer of mice exposed transgenerationally to AEBN. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structure characterization of lipocyclopeptide antibiotics, aspartocins A, B & C, by ESI‐MSMS and ESI‐nozzle‐skimmer‐MSMS
Authors: Siegel Marshall M. , Kong Fangming , Feng Xidong , Carter Guy T. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThree lipocyclopeptide antibiotics, aspartocins A (1), B (2), and C (3), were obtained from the aspartocin complex by HPLC separation methodology. Their structures were elucidated using previously published chemical degradation results coupled with spectroscopic studies including ESI‐MS, ESI‐Nozzle Skimmer‐MSMS and NMR. All three aspartocin compounds share the same cyclic decapeptide core of cyclo [Dab2 (Asp1‐FA)‐Pip3‐MeAsp4‐Asp5‐Gly6‐Asp7‐Gly8‐Dab9‐Val10‐Pro11]. They differ only in the fatty acid side chain moiety (FA) corresponding to (Z)‐13‐methyltetradec‐3‐ene‐carbonyl, (+,Z)‐12‐methyltetradec‐3‐ene‐carbonyl and (Z)‐12‐methyltridec‐3‐ene‐carbonyl for aspartocins A (1), B (2), and C (3), respectively. All of the sequence ions were observed by ESI‐MSMS of the doubly charged parent ions. However, a number of the sequence ions observed were of low abundance. To fully sequence the lipocyclopeptide antibiotic structures, these low abundance sequence ions together with complementary sequence ions were confirmed by ESI‐Nozzle‐Skimmer‐MSMS of the singly charged linear peptide parent fragment ions H‐Asp5‐Gly6‐Asp7‐Gly8‐Dab9‐Val10‐Pro11‐Dab21+‐Asp1‐FA. Cyclization of the aspartocins was demonstrated to occur via the β‐amino group of Dab2 from ions of moderate intensity in the ESI‐MSMS spectra. As the fatty acid moieties do not undergo internal fragmentations under the experimental ESI mass spectral conditions used, the 14 Da mass difference between the fatty acid moieties of aspartocins A (1) and B (2) versus aspartocin C (3) was used as an internal mass tag to differentiate fragment ions containing fatty acid moieties and those not containing the fatty acid moieties. The most numerous and abundant fragment ions observed in the tandem mass spectra are due to the cleavage of the tertiary nitrogen amide of the pipecolic acid residue‐3 (16 fragment ions) and the proline residue‐11 (7 fragment ions). In addition, the neutral loss of ethanimine from α,β‐diaminobutyric acid residue 9 was observed for the parent molecular ion and for 7 fragment ions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trans‐hemispheric effects of large volcanic eruptions as recorded by an early 19th century diary
Authors: Lee D. S. , MacKenzie A. R. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAn early 19th century diary, belonging to a farmer from NW England, contains detailed daily weather entries over a 15‐year period from 1815 to 1829. The diary period encompasses the Tambora volcanic eruption and pre‐dates the establishment of routine meteorological observations. The diary entries were imported into a database and the descriptive entries categorised and transformed into ordinal data for statistical analysis, measuring frequencies of weather events or related phenomena. In ranked comparisons, the diary is strongly correlated with established temperature and precipitation datasets, providing confidence in the reliability of the diary as a data source. From the categorised diary data, significant indicators of poor climate are identified, including higher‐than‐mean occurrences of low pressure, summer cold and rainfall. The years 1817, 1816 and 1823, respectively have the highest number of indicators of poor weather with high or very high significance, totalling 21 over these 3 years, whereas only 11 are recorded in total for the remaining 10 years of data. Thus significant climate anomalies are found in the 2 years following the Tambora 1815 eruption and to a lesser extent 1 year following another major eruption, Galunggung in 1822. As well as colder and wetter summers, other indicators such as optical phenomena, which are not routinely included in climate records, are recorded. There is no evidence that the diarist was aware of the Tambora and Galunggung eruptions at the time of writing. Although the diary covers a relatively short time span and is largely qualitative in nature, it is from an early period, pre‐dating the establishment of the UK Meteorological Office, and is unusually methodical. The diary contains a wealth of data which could be further exploited. The current study demonstrates the potential of database technology for categorising and quantifying descriptive data sources in historical climate studies. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Atmospheric moisture budget in the Arctic based on the ERA‐40 reanalysis
Authors: Jakobson Erko , Vihma Timo 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe atmospheric moisture budget in the Arctic in 1979–2001 was analysed on the basis of the ERA‐40 reanalysis. Zonal variations in the profiles of specific humidity mainly occur at altitudes below 5 km. The moisture transport peaks at altitudes lower than previously suggested; the median peak level of meridional moisture flux (MMF) across 70°N is in winter at 930 hPa pressure level and in other seasons at 970–990 hPa level. Mean precipitable water for the polar cap (70–90°N) ranges from 2.4 mm in winter to 12.3 mm in summer. Transient eddies (TE) are responsible for most of the water vapour transport across 70°N by providing from 81% of MMF in winter to 92% of MMF in summer. The contribution by stationary eddies (SE) ranges from 5 to 9%, whereas the contribution of mean meridional circulation (MMC) ranges from 1% in summer to 12% in winter. Relative inter‐annual variation in MMF components is highest for SE (standard deviation/mean = 133%), second highest for the MMC (61%) and smallest for TE (4%). The MMF across 70°N accounts for 59% of the annual precipitation. Averaged for the polar cap, the mean annual moisture flux convergence (192 mm) and net precipitation (179 mm) are close to each other, but local differences exceeding 200 mm occur at several places. Over the open ocean, the moisture flux convergence is considered more reliable. The Arctic Oscillation (AO) index correlates with MMF in spring and winter (correlation coefficient r = 0.75) and with net precipitation in spring (r = 0.61) and winter (r = 0.50). The AO and precipitable water correlate in Canada and Greenland in winter and spring (r = − 0.7) and in Europe in winter (r = 0.8). Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Determination of paclitaxel and its analogues in the needles of Taxus species by using negative pressure cavitation extraction followed by HPLC‐MS‐MS
Authors: Li Shuangming , Fu Yujie , Zu Yuangang , Zu Baishi , Wang Ying , Efferth Thomas 
Published: October 2009

AbstractA new separation method, negative pressure cavitation (NPC) extraction followed by HPLC‐MS‐MS for the determination of paclitaxel and its analogues in the needles of Taxus species is described in this study. Compared with three conventional extraction methods, NPC is a more effective, economical, and facile method for the separation of nature compounds from herbal plants. In contrast to high‐temperature extraction, NPC at low temperature can minimize undesirable reactions such as thermal decomposition or degradation. In addition, the extraction mechanism of NPC was also illuminated. The effects of vacuum degree, extraction solvent, ratio of solid to liquid, time, and times extraction were studied and optimized. The optimum extraction conditions were as follows: vacuum degree –0.03 MPa, solvent 80% v/v alcohol, ratio of material to liquid 1:15 (g/mL), extraction time 60 min, extraction (×3). Using these conditions, the recoveries of 10‐deacetyl‐7‐xylosylpaclitaxel, 10‐deacetylpaclitaxel, cephalomannine, and paclitaxel were higher than 95.88, 95.82, 94.85, and 96.18%, respectively. The contents of paclitaxel, 10‐deacetyl‐7‐xylosylpaclitaxel, 10‐deacetylpaclitaxel, and cephalomannine for Taxus chinensis were 0.0053, 0.0467, 0.0132, and 0.0076%, and 0.0067, 0.0153, 0.0047, and 0.0064% for Taxus cuspidata, respectively. Furthermore, a comparison of SEM images observed the morphological changes of microstructures and cellular damage in yew needles.
Soot–additive interactions in engine oils
Authors: Uy Dairene , O'Neill A. E. , Simko Steven J. , Gangopadhyay Arup K. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractSoot is known to cause engine wear. In this work, we focus on how engine oil formulation affects soot‐related wear, and how the lubricant‐derived anti‐wear film changes when soot is present. Friction and wear experiments of fully and partially formulated diesel engine oils (containing basestock, dispersants and viscosity modifiers) are conducted with a ball‐on‐disk rig in the presence of carbon black (CB) as a soot surrogate. The friction coefficient was largely unaffected by CB dispersed in the oils, but electrically insulating film formation, an indication of the formation of anti‐wear films, was decreased. Wear on the disk was found to either remain the same or decrease when CB was present, depending on the oil formulation. An examination of the lubricant‐derived films using Raman and Auger electron spectroscopies found that the presence of more abundant amorphous carbon and lesser amounts of anti‐wear film components on the surface was associated with higher wear. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemical Binding of Unsaturated Fluorenes to Poly(2‐chloroxylylene) Thin Films
Authors: Bolognesi Alberto , Botta Chiara , Andicsova Anita , Giovanella Umberto , Arnautov Sergey , Charmet Jérôme , Laux Edith , Keppner Herbert 
Published: October 2009

AbstractA series of substituted fluorenes with vinyl groups as reactive sites were synthesized and characterized. Fluorene‐based polymers with vinyl groups as end chains and side chains functionalities were also prepared. In both cases, successful preparation of functionalized Parylene C films (modylayers) was achieved. The set of spectral methods used has allowed us to conclude that such functionalization is based on the chemical reaction of double bonds with xylylene radicals during deposition process. Parylene C films chemically modified with specially synthesized polyfluorenes showed PL quantum efficiency comparable with neat polyfluorenes.magnified image
Non‐Fouling Character of Poly[2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl Phosphorylcholine]‐Modified Gold Surfaces Fabricated by the ‘Grafting to’ Method: Comparison of its Protein Resistance with Poly(ethylene glycol)‐Modified Gold Surfaces
Authors: Yoshimoto Keitaro , Hirase Takumi , Madsen Jeppe , Armes Steven P. , Nagasaki Yukio 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPoly[2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine] ‐modified gold surfaces, which have been newly prepared by a ‘grafting to’ method using a series of monosulfanyl‐terminated PMPC, are characterized by protein adsorption experiments based on surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and ellipsometry measurements. The extent of BSA adsorption on PMPC‐modified surfaces was systematically reduced for thicker PMPC layers, thus the number of MPC units on the gold surface appears to be an important factor for the excellent protein resistance offered by PMPC‐modified gold surfaces fabricated by the ‘grafting to’ method, which is sharp contrast to that of PEG tethered chains.magnified image
Normative decision making with multiattribute performance targets
Authors: Abbas Ali E. , Matheson James E. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractMany companies set multiple performance targets for their managers and reward them on meeting a threshold value for each target or goal. Examples of such incentive structures abide in the managerial literature and in organizational settings. We show that this incentive structure, while popular, has two main problems: (i) it can induce managers who try to maximize the probability of meeting their performance targets to make decisions that are not compatible with expected utility maximizing decisions, and (ii) it may lead to trade‐offs among the performance objectives that are inconsistent with the corporate value function. In this paper, we propose a method to remedy these two problems, while retaining a target‐based incentive scheme. We define a multiattribute target as a deterministic region in the space of multiattribute outcomes that has two properties: (1) the probability that the outcome of a multiattribute lottery lies within the target region is equal to the expected utility of the lottery, and (2) all outcomes within the target region are preferred to all outcomes outside it. These two properties lead to a new quantity; which we call the ‘value aspiration equivalent’ that leads managers who maximize the probability of meeting their targets to simultaneously maximize the expected utility, and it also induces trade‐offs that are consistent with the decision maker's value function. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Paramedical treatment in primary dystonia: A systematic review
Authors: Delnooz Cathérine C.S. , Horstink Martin W.I.M. , Tijssen Marina A. , van de Warrenburg Bart P.C. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractDystonia is a disabling movement disorder with a significant impact on quality of life. The current therapeutic armamentarium includes various drugs, botulinum toxin injections, and occasionally (neuro)surgery. In addition, many patients are referred for paramedical (including allied health care) interventions. An enormous variation in the paramedical treatment is provided, largely because evidence‐based, accepted treatment regimes are not available. We have conducted a systematic review of studies that explored the effect of various paramedical interventions in primary dystonia. Only studies that have used clinical outcome measures were included. There were no class A1 or A2 studies and therefore, level 1 or 2 practice recommendations for a specific intervention could not be deducted. Many papers were case reports, mostly with a very limited number of patients and a clear publication bias for beneficial effects of a particular paramedical intervention. Some potentially interesting interventions come from class B studies, which include physical therapy in addition to botulinum toxin injections (BoNT‐A) in cervical dystonia; sensorimotor training and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in writer's cramp; and speech therapy added to BoNT‐A injections in laryngeal dystonia. Good quality clinical studies are therefore warranted, which should have the aim to be generally applicable. A design in which the paramedical intervention is added to a current gold standard, for example, BoNT‐A injections in cervical dystonia, is recommended. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society