bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impacts of land use land cover on temperature trends over the continental United States: assessment using the North American Regional Reanalysis
Authors: Fall Souleymane , Niyogi Dev , Gluhovsky Alexander , Pielke Roger A. , Kalnay Eugenia , Rochon Gilbert 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWe investigate the sensitivity of surface temperature trends to land use land cover change (LULC) over the conterminous United States (CONUS) using the observation minus reanalysis (OMR) approach. We estimated the OMR trends for the 1979–2003 period from the US Historical Climate Network (USHCN), and the NCEP‐NCAR North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR). We used a new mean square differences (MSDs)‐based assessment for the comparisons between temperature anomalies from observations and interpolated reanalysis data. Trends of monthly mean temperature anomalies show a strong agreement, especially between adjusted USHCN and NARR (r = 0.9 on average) and demonstrate that NARR captures the climate variability at different time scales. OMR trend results suggest that, unlike findings from studies based on the global reanalysis (NCEP/NCAR reanalysis), NARR often has a larger warming trend than adjusted observations (on average, 0.28 and 0.27 °C/decade respectively).OMR trends were found to be sensitive to land cover types. We analysed decadal OMR trends as a function of land types using the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and new National Land Cover Database (NLCD) 1992–2001 Retrofit Land Cover Change. The magnitude of OMR trends obtained from the NLDC is larger than the one derived from the ‘static’ AVHRR. Moreover, land use conversion often results in more warming than cooling.Overall, our results confirm the robustness of the OMR method for detecting non‐climatic changes at the station level, evaluating the impacts of adjustments performed on raw observations, and most importantly, providing a quantitative estimate of additional warming trends associated with LULC changes at local and regional scales. As most of the warming trends that we identify can be explained on the basis of LULC changes, we suggest that in addition to considering the greenhouse gases–driven radiative forcings, multi‐decadal and longer climate models simulations must further include LULC changes. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Changes in inhibitory activity and secondary conformation of soybean trypsin inhibitors induced by tea polyphenol complexation
Authors: Huang Huihua , Zhao Mouming , Ren Qilong , Yang Yiwen 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: Tea polyphenol (TP) is a new food additive for antioxidant application, while soybean is an important resource for food and feed processing. It is therefore of rational and practical significance to investigate the influence of TP on soybean trypsin inhibitors (TIs). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of TP on the inhibitory activity of Kunitz (KTI) and Bowman–Birk (BBTI) TIs and to reveal the relationship between the inhibitory activity and conformation of KTI and BBTI by measurement of circular dichroism (CD) spectra.RESULTS: KTI and BBTI were found to be partially deactivated by TP. BBTI exhibited stronger resistance than KTI to TP deactivation. The unchanged KM value of trypsin for benzoyl‐DL‐arginine‐p‐nitroanilide hydrolysis indicated that KTI and BBTI inhibited trypsin in a non‐competitive pattern when complexed with TP. As the TP/TI ratio was increased and the inhibitory activity of KTI and BBTI decreased, the conformation of KTI and BBTI showed relevant changes and the major CD negative bands shifted progressively towards the near‐UV region.CONCLUSION: These results show the deactivation effects of TP on KTI and BBTI and reveal preliminarily the relationship between the inhibitory activity and secondary structure of KTI and BBTI. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
ATP13A2 variants in early‐onset Parkinson's disease patients and controls
Authors: Djarmati Ana , Hagenah Johann , Reetz Kathrin , Winkler Susen , Behrens Maria Isabel , Pawlack Heike , Lohmann Katja , Ramirez Alfredo , Tadić Vera , Brüggemann Norbert , Berg Daniela , Siebner Hartwig R. , Lang Anthony E. , Pramstaller Peter P. , Binkofski Ferdinand , Kostić Vladimir S. , Volkmann Jens , Gasser Thomas , Klein Christine 
Published: August 2009

AbstractFour genes responsible for recessively inherited forms of Parkinson's disease (PD) have been identified, including the recently discovered ATP13A2 (PARK9) gene. Our objective was to investigate the role of this gene in a large cohort of PD patients and controls. We extensively screened all 29 exons of the ATP13A2 coding region in 112 patients with early‐onset PD (EOPD; <40 years) of mostly European ethnic origin and of 55 controls. We identified four carriers (3.6%) of novel single heterozygous ATP13A2 missense changes that were absent in controls. Interestingly, the carrier of one of these variants also harbored two mutations in the Parkin gene. None of the carriers had atypical features previously described in patients with two mutated ATP13A2 alleles (Kufor–Rakeb syndrome). Our data suggest that two mutated ATP13A2 alleles are not a common cause of PD. Although heterozygous variants are present in a considerable number of patients, they are—based on this relatively small sample—not significantly more frequent in patients compared to controls. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Fatigue‐related changes in fascicle–tendon geometry over repeated contractions: Difference between synergist muscles
Authors: Mitsukawa Naotoshi , Sugisaki Norihide , Kanehisa Hiroaki , Fukunaga Tetsuo , Kawakami Yasuo 
Published: August 2009

AbstractFatigue‐induced changes in force production of synergist muscles were evaluated through observation of fascicle‐tendon geometry and electromyography (EMG). Seven subjects performed 60 maximal isometric plantar flexions intermittently. No statistically significant intermuscle difference was observed in the decrease of mean EMG amplitudes or mean power frequency for the medial gastrocnemius (MG) and soleus (SOL) muscles. The tendon elongation of MG significantly decreased after the 19th contraction, and MG fascicle length increased after the 29th contraction, while SOL fascicle and tendon length did not change except for the last contraction. The declines in torques were highly correlated with the increase of MG fascicle length and decrease in tendon elongation in each subject, while no consistent relationship was found for SOL. These results suggest that changes in force‐production of MG and SOL over repeated contractions differ, which is reflected in fascicle–tendon geometry. Muscle Nerve 40: 395–401, 2009
Assessment of satellite cell number and activity status in human skeletal muscle biopsies
Authors: Mackey Abigail L. , Kjaer Michael , Charifi Nadia , Henriksson Jan , Bojsen‐Moller Jens , Holm Lars , Kadi Fawzi 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe primary aim of our study was to validate the assessment of myonuclear and satellite cell number in biopsies from human skeletal muscle. We found that 25 type I and 25 type II fibers are sufficient to estimate the mean number of myonuclei per fiber. In contrast, the assessment of satellite cells improved when more fibers were included. Second, we report that small differences in counting satellite cells using CD56 and Pax7 antibodies can be attributed to the different staining profiles. Third, we provide support for the use of Ki67 in evaluating the proportion of active satellite cells. We observed very few (up to 1.3%) active satellite cells in healthy adult skeletal muscle at rest, but they increased significantly (up to 7‐fold) following muscle activity. This study provides valuable tools to assess the behavior of satellite cells, both in pathological conditions and in response to physiological stimuli. Muscle Nerve 40: 455–465, 2009
Jitter recordings with concentric needle electrodes
Authors: Stålberg Erik V. , Sanders Donald B. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractNeuromuscular jitter is generally recorded with a single fiber (SF) electromyography (EMG) electrode. Due to concern about using reusable needle electrodes, an acceptable alternative for the SF electrode has been sought. This is a review of the issues involved in using disposable concentric needle (CN) electrodes to measure jitter. Signals recorded with CN electrodes frequently represent the summation of many single fiber action potentials, which will decrease the apparent jitter. The influence of these artifacts on the final result also depends on the analysis method. Reference values obtained with CN electrodes correlate with SF EMG values, but they are a few microseconds lower. Overall results show that the CN method is a good alternative to SFEMG and will facilitate the use of jitter analysis. The results must be interpreted with caution, particularly in borderline cases, but they may be acceptable for clinical use when SF electrodes cannot be used. Muscle Nerve 40: 331–339, 2009
Glutamine preserves skeletal muscle force during an inflammatory insult
Authors: Meador Benjamin M. , Huey Kimberly A. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that acute glutamine (GLN) supplementation can counteract skeletal muscle contractile dysfunction occurring in response to inflammation by elevating muscle heat shock protein (Hsp) expression and reducing inflammatory cytokines. Mice received 5 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concurrently with 1 g/kg GLN or vehicle treatments. Plantarflexor isometric force production was measured at 2 hours post‐injection. Blood and gastrocnemius muscles were collected, and serum and muscle tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and muscle Hsp70 and Hsp25 were quantified. Saline/LPS treatment was associated with a 33% reduction in maximal force and elevated serum TNF‐α and IL‐6. GLN completely prevented this force decrement with LPS. GLN was found to reduce muscle Hsp70 and IL‐6, but only in the presence of LPS. GLN supplementation provides an effective, novel, clinically applicable means of preserving muscle force during acute inflammation. These data indicate that force preservation is not dependent on reductions in serum cytokines or muscle TNF‐α, or elevated Hsp levels. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Cardiac pathology exceeds skeletal muscle pathology in two cases of limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy type 2I
Authors: Margeta Marta , Connolly Anne M. , Winder Thomas L. , Pestronk Alan , Moore Steven A. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractLimb‐girdle muscular dystrophy type 2I (LGMD‐2I) is caused by mutations in the fukutin‐related protein gene (FKRP) that lead to abnormal glycosylation of α‐dystroglycan in skeletal muscle. Heart involvement in LGMD‐2I is common, but little is known about a underlying cardiac pathology. Herein we describe two patients with LGMD‐2I (homozygous FKRP mutation c.826C>A, p.Leu276Ile) who developed severe congestive heart failure that required cardiac transplantation. The dystrophic pathology and impairment of α‐dystroglycan glycosylation were severe in the heart but mild in skeletal muscle, underscoring the lack of correlation between cardiac and skeletal muscle involvement in some LGMD‐2I patients. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Tailoring the structural properties of PVDF and P(VDF‐TrFE) by using natural polymers as additives
Authors: Simoes R.D. , Rodriguez‐Perez M.A. , De Saja J.A. , Constantino C.J.L. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF, and its copolymer poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene), P(VDF‐TrFE), are of great scientific and technological interest due to their ferro, pyro, and piezelectrical properties besides chemical and thermal stability. Recently, their biocompatibility has been shown as well. Therefore, considering all this potentiality, self‐standing films of PVDF and P(VDF‐TrFE) containing corn starch and latex of natural rubber as additives were produced by compressing/annealing forming blends. This process allows one to discard the necessity of using solvents to dissolve either PVDF or P(VDF‐TrFE), which are toxic to human. The films were structurally characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction, density, melt flow index, hardness, and thermal conductivity. The results showed that the polymers do not interact chemically with the additives leading to the formation of blends as physical mixtures where the additives are well dispersed within the blends at micrometer level. However, it was observed that the adhesion of the starch is better in the case of blends with P(VDF‐TrFE). Besides, the crystalline structures of the α‐PVDF and ferroelectric P(VDF‐TrFE) are kept in the blends. The density, hardness, melt flow index, and thermal conductivity values of the blends followed what should be expected from physical mixtures. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
The effects of triethylenetetramine grafting of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes on its dispersion, filler‐matrix interfacial interaction and the thermal properties of epoxy nanocomposites
Authors: Yang Kai , Gu Mingyuan 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis study describes the influence of triethylenetetramine (TETA) grafting of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the dispersion state, interfacial interaction, and thermal properties of epoxy nanocomposites. MWCNTs were first treated by a 3:1 (v/v) mixture of concentrated H2SO4/HNO3, and then TETA grafting was performed. Chemically grafted MWCNT/bisphenol‐A glycidol ether epoxy resin/2‐ethyl‐4‐methylimidazole nanocomposites were prepared. TETA grafting could establish the connection of MWCNTs to the epoxy matrix and transform the smooth and nonreactive MWCNT surface into a hybrid material that possesses the characteristics of both MWCNTs and TETA, which facilitates homogeneous dispersion of MWCNTs and improves nanotube‐epoxy interfacial interaction. Therefore, the impact property, glass transition temperature, thermal stability, and thermal conductivity of epoxy nanocomposites are enhanced. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation of nano‐Ag particles and their modification on the mechanical and dielectric properties of epoxy resin
Authors: Liang Honglu , Yu Demei , Xie Yunchuan , Min Chao , Zhang Jing , Hu Guohe 
Published: August 2009

AbstractNano‐Ag particles stabilized by a hyperbranched polymer (HBP) template were prepared for modifying the epoxy resin. The effects of preparation condition on the size and size distribution of Ag colloidal particles were studied. The Ag@HBP particles were then compounded with the epoxy resin to obtain the Ag@HBP/epoxy composites and the mechanical and dielectric properties of these composites were investigated. Dynamic mechanical analysis results show that the composites have higher loss factors than does the unmodified epoxy resin, which indicate better dissipation of mechanical energy and hence better shock or impact resistance. Fracture morphology of the composite shows a toughness feature. From the dielectric test results, the breakdown strength and dielectric constant of the composites at room temperature are increased, which can be explained by the Coulomb block effect. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Prediction of the film thickness distribution and pattern change during film insert thermoforming
Authors: Kim Gugyong , Lee Kwango , Kang Sungsu 
Published: August 2009

AbstractVarious surface process methods have been developed to decorate plastic or metallic products. Film insert molding (FIM) is one of the methods that enhance the functional and/or aesthetic qualities of a product's surface. However, the drawbacks of FIM are that the thickness of the film can change, depending on the product configuration, and further, the pattern of the decorated film may change. Therefore, this article attempts to quantify the changes in the thickness and in the pattern of the decorated film during the FIM process. G'Sell's viscoelastic constitutive law was adopted to describe the rheological behavior of polymer film. A constant‐velocity uniaxial tensile test at high temperature, which is a new method proposed in this research, was used to obtain the rheological parameters. We also suggested a visual method for predicting pattern change, which was validated by comparing analytical results with those of real products. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation of carbon nanofibres through electrospinning and thermal treatment
Authors: Liu Cheng‐Kun , Lai Kan , Liu Wei , Yao Mu , Sun Run‐Jun 
Published: August 2009

AbstractElectrospinning is a versatile process to obtain continuous carbon nanofibres at low cost. Thermoplastic and thermosetting polymer precursors are utilized to prepare electrospun carbon nanofibres, activated carbon nanofibres through chemical and/or physical activation and functionalized composite carbon nanofibres by surface coating or electrospinning a precursor solution tailored with nanomaterials. Many promising applications of electrospun carbon nanofibres can be expected if appropriate microstructural, mechanical and electrical properties become available. This article provides an in‐depth review of the research activities regarding several varieties and performance requirements of precursor nanofibres, polyacrylonitrile‐based carbon nanofibres and their functionalized products, and carbon nanofibres from other precursors. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Sulfonated Surfaces by Sulfur Dioxide Plasma Surface Treatment of Plasma Polymer Films
Authors: Siow Kim S. , Britcher Leanne , Kumar Sunil , Griesser Hans J. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe preparation of thin film coatings with sulfonate and sulfate groups by plasma techniques is not straightforward due to limited volatility of suitable process vapours. We report a combination of plasma polymerisation and plasma treatment, treating heptylamine (HA‐SO2) and 1,7‐octadiene (OD‐SO2) plasma polymers with sulfur dioxide plasma. HA‐SO2 and OD‐SO2 plasma polymer surfaces exhibited different compositions with the latter showing almost twice the amount of sulfur, as well as polysulfonate. Ageing of HA‐SO2 plasma polymer surfaces in air or saline solution led to the disappearance of oligomers containing sulfonate and sulfate. Angle‐dependent XPS analysis of HA‐SO2 plasma polymers suggested that sulfur containing groups reptated into the plasma polymer upon storage after preparation.magnified image
Charge carrier dissociation and recombination in polymer solar cells
Authors: Deibel Carsten 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIn polymer:fullerene solar cells, the origin of the losses in the field‐dependent photocurrent is still controversially debated. We contribute to the ongoing discussion by performing photo‐induced charge extraction measurements on poly(3‐hexylthiophene‐2,5‐diyl):[6,6]‐phenyl‐C61butyric acid methyl ester solar cells in order to investigate the processes ruling charge carrier decay. Calculating the drift length of photogenerated charges, we find that polaron recombination is not limiting the photocurrent for annealed devices. Additionally, we applied Monte Carlo simulations on blends of conjugated polymer chain donors with acceptor molecules in order to gain insight into the polaron pair dissociation. The dissociation yield turns out to be rather high, with only a weak field dependence. With this complementary view on dissociation and recombination, we stress the importance of accounting for polaron pair dissociation, polaron recombination as well as charge extraction when considering the loss mechanisms in organic solar cells.
Excitons in conjugated polymers: Do we need a paradigma change?
Authors: Beenken Wichard J. D. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWe have previously shown that both, polymer conformation and dynamics are crucial for the exciton transport in conjugated polymers. Thereby we found that the usual Förster‐type hopping transfer model – even if one applies the line‐dipole approximation – falls short in one crucial aspect: the nature of the sites the excitons are transferred between is still unclear. We found that the simple model of spectroscopic units defined as segments of the polymer chains separated by structural defects breaking the π‐conjugation is only justified for chemical defects like hydrogenated double bonds, or extreme gauche (90°) torsions between the monomers. Both defects are far too rare in a well‐prepared conjugated polymer to explain the mean spectroscopic‐unit length of typically 6–7 monomers. Meanwhile, also the concept of dynamical formation of the spectroscopic units, we had previously suggested, has also failed. Thus the question of a paradigma change concerning the exciton transport in conjugated polymers appears on the agenda.
A microstructural study of superconductive nanocrystalline diamond
Authors: Villar M. P. , Alegre Ma. P. , Araujo D. , Bustarret E. , Achatz P. , Saminadayar L. , Bauerle C. , Williams O. A. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractA transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study of superconducting nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) continuous layers is reported. The high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HREM) and the diffraction contrast modes of observations are used to reveal the nanograins configuration. Three types of them are observed: first, close to the interface with the Si/SiO2 substrate, 10–20 nm‐sized diamond seeds resulting from the 5 nm size diamond powder deposition before growth that show some regrowth during CVD process, second a diamond overgrown layer, quasi‐epitaxially by coalesced larger NCD grains, and finally, up to the free surface, a thin disordered region composed of nanocrystallites smaller than 6 nm. This last layer was not nominally expected and is attributed to a renucleated‐like (RND) carbon layer embedding ultra NCD grains. Diffraction contrast observations confirm this HREM observed behavior.
Position‐sensitive radiation detectors made of single crystal CVD diamond
Authors: Pomorski M. , Ciobanu M. , Mer C. , Rebisz‐Pomorska M. , Tromson D. , Bergonzo P. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBased on a single crystal chemical vapour deposition (scCVD) diamond plate a position sensitive detector [position sensitive detection position sensitive detector (PSD)] has been fabricated. The ∼9 mm2 sensing area of the detector consists of a diamond‐like carbon (DLC) thin film, in the form of a plane‐pad resistive electrode layer deposited on the scCVD surface. The 1D position information is obtained from the resistive charge division between two collecting electrodes located at the extremities of the DLC sensing electrode. The detector properties have been tested using a 241Am α‐particles source. The timing characteristics of the device were probed using broad‐band (BB) electronics: the signal formation does not exceed 30 ns, thus detector operation with a negligible ballistic effect is possible at high rates approaching 107 particles/s. The linearity and position resolution of the device was measured using low‐noise charge‐sensitive (CS) electronics: the position resolution reaches 30 µm (σ), the deviation from linearity remain below 2% in the full range of the detector sensing area.