bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drosophila DREF acting via the JNK pathway is required for thorax development
Authors: Yoshioka Yasuhide , Tue Nguyen Trong , Fujiwara Shunsuke , Matsuda Risa , Valadez‐Graham Viviana , Zurita Mario , Yamaguchi Masamitsu 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe Drosophila
Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) gene basket (bsk) promoter contains a DNA replication‐related element (DRE)‐like sequence, raising the possibility of regulation by the DNA replication‐related element‐binding factor (DREF). Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays with anti‐DREF IgG showed the bsk gene promoter region to be effectively amplified. Luciferase transient expression assays revealed the DRE‐like sequence to be important for bsk gene promoter activity, and knockdown of DREF decreased the bsk mRNA level and the bsk gene promoter activity. Furthermore, knockdown of DREF in the notum compartment of wing discs by pannier‐GAL4 and UAS‐DREFIR resulted in a split thorax phenotype. Monitoring of JNK activity in the wing disc by LacZ expression in a puckered (puc)‐LacZ enhancer trap line revealed the reduction in DREF knockdown clones. These findings indicate that DREF is involved in regulation of Drosophila thorax development via actions on the JNK pathway. genesis 50:599–611, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Determination of the constriction size distribution of granular filters by filtration tests
Authors: Sjah J. , Vincens E. 
Published: February 2012

SUMMARYThis paper presents the calibration of an experiment based on filtration tests, able to provide the cumulative constriction size distribution of granular materials. Here, simulations of these tests are performed using a discrete element method. Filters of same density but different thicknesses are created with a poly‐sized spherical material. Lateral periodic boundaries for the samples are used, and their size is calibrated so that a representative elementary volume is obtained. Fine particles are released on the created samples, and the particle size distribution of the collected material that successfully crossed the filters is computed. These particle size distributions are related to the underlying cumulative constriction size distribution (CSD) of the granular material involved in the samples. The CSD is derived using a probabilistic approach for the path length of individual particles through a granular material. We settle all the requisites related to the technique and to the fine particles that are released to allow reaching a correct CSD for the filter. The reference CSD used for the calibration of the experiment is obtained after a radical partition of the void space into Delaunay tetrahedra and a geometrical characterisation of constrictions on each tetrahedron face. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Properties of a Series of CO2 Switchable Surfactants with Imidazoline Group
Authors: Qiao Weihong , Zheng Zhibo , Shi Qingzhao 
Published: February 2012

AbstractSwitchable surfactants are environment‐friendly compounds, which can be separated from the system or lose surface activity after completing their function during one stage of a process. In order to study switchable properties of a kind of CO2 switchable surfactant with an imidazoline group, four 2‐alkyl‐1‐hydroxyethylimidazolines were synthesized by condensation of N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)ethanediamine with dodecanoic, tetradecanoic, hexadecanoic, and octadecanoic acids. Then, the series of long‐chain alkyl imidazoline compounds were reacted with dry ice to produce imidazolinium bicarbonates cationic surfactants. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) and surface tension at CMC (γcmc) measured by the Wilhelmy plate technique show that these surfactants have excellent surface activity. The changes of conductivity before and after bubbling CO2 show the conversion between imidazolines and imidazolinium bicarbonates cationic surfactants. Conductivity cycles indicated that these surfactants could be switched by CO2 reversibly and repeating this three times. However, their switchable function on the emulsification‐demulsification of water‐alkane was dissatisfactory due to the emulsibility of amide which was hydrolyzed from 2‐alkyl‐1‐hydroxyethylimidazoline. Therefore, the application of these switchable surfactants needed to be studied further.
Consumers' implicit theories about personality influence their brand personality judgments
Authors: Mathur Pragya , Jain Shailendra P. , Maheswaran Durairaj 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThree studies document that consumers' implicit theories about the fixedness/malleability of personality guide brand personality updating in a brand extension context. The first two studies show that extension fit with the parent brand impacts brand personality updating only for incremental (vs. entity theorists). Specifically, for incremental theorists, brand personality is enhanced (vs. diluted) when extension fit is poor (vs. good), and only when brand personality is salient. The third study identifies conditions under which entity theorists focus on brand personality. Interestingly, overall evaluations of the parent brand and extension vary only with extension fit. Implications of our research are discussed.
xQTL workbench: a scalable web environment for multi-level QTL analysis
Authors: Arends Danny , van der Velde K. Joeri , Prins Pjotr , Broman Karl W. , Möller Steffen , Jansen Ritsert C. , Swertz Morris A. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Summary: xQTL workbench is a scalable web platform for the mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) at multiple levels: for example gene expression (eQTL), protein abundance (pQTL), metabolite abundance (mQTL) and phenotype (phQTL) data. Popular QTL mapping methods for model organism and human populations are accessible via the web user interface. Large calculations scale easily on to multi-core computers, clusters and Cloud. All data involved can be uploaded and queried online: markers, genotypes, microarrays, NGS, LC-MS, GC-MS, NMR, etc. When new data types come available, xQTL workbench is quickly customized using the Molgenis software generator.
Availability: xQTL workbench runs on all common platforms, including Linux, Mac OS X and Windows. An online demo system, installation guide, tutorials, software and source code are available under the LGPL3 license from http://www.xqtl.org.
Contact: m.a.swertz@rug.nl
Vitamin D deficiency is a predictor of reduced survival in patients with heart failure; vitamin D supplementation improves outcome
Authors: Gotsman Israel , Shauer Ayelet , Zwas Donna R. , Hellman Yaron , Keren Andre , Lotan Chaim , Admon Dan 
Published: February 2012

AimsVitamin D deficiency is a highly prevalent, global phenomenon. The prevalence in heart failure (HF) patients and its effect on outcome are less clear. We evaluated vitamin D levels and vitamin D supplementation in patients with HF and its effect on mortality.Methods and results25‐Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were evaluated in HF patients from a health maintenance organization (HMO), and compared them with those of the rest of the members of the HMO. Patients with HF (n = 3009) had a lower median 25(OH)D level compared with the control group (n = 46 825): 36.9 nmol/L (interquartile range 23.2–55.9) vs. 40.7 nmol/L (26.7–56.9), respectively, P < 0.00001. The percentage of patients with vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D <25 nmol/L] was higher in patients with HF compared with the control group (28% vs. 22%, P < 0.00001). Only 8.8% of the HF patients had optimal 25(OH)D levels (≥75 nmol/L). Median clinical follow‐up was 518 days. Cox regression analysis demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency was an independent predictor of increased mortality in patients with HF [hazard ratio (HR) 1.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21–1.92, P < 0.001] and in the control group (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.48–2.46, P < 0.00001). Vitamin D supplementation was independently associated with reduced mortality in HF patients (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.54–0.85, P < 0.0001). Parameters associated with vitamin D deficiency in HF patients were decreased previous solar radiation exposure, body mass index, diabetes, female gender, pulse, and decreased calcium and haemoglobin levels.ConclusionsVitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in HF patients and is a significant predictor of reduced survival. Vitamin D supplementation was associated with improved outcome.
Exploring Tomato Gene Functions Based on Coexpression Modules Using Graph Clustering and Differential Coexpression Approaches
Authors: Fukushima Atsushi , Nishizawa Tomoko , Hayakumo Mariko , Hikosaka Shoko , Saito Kazuki , Goto Eiji , Kusano Miyako 
Published: February 2012

AbstractGene-to-gene coexpression analysis provides fundamental information and is a promising approach for predicting unknown gene functions in plants. We investigated various associations in the gene expression of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) to predict unknown gene functions in an unbiased manner. We obtained more than 300 microarrays from publicly available databases and our own hybridizations, and here, we present tomato coexpression networks and coexpression modules. The topological characteristics of the networks were highly heterogenous. We extracted 465 total coexpression modules from the data set by graph clustering, which allows users to divide a graph effectively into a set of clusters. Of these, 88% were assigned systematically by Gene Ontology terms. Our approaches revealed functional modules in the tomato transcriptome data; the predominant functions of coexpression modules were biologically relevant. We also investigated differential coexpression among data sets consisting of leaf, fruit, and root samples to gain further insights into the tomato transcriptome. We now demonstrate that (1) duplicated genes, as well as metabolic genes, exhibit a small but significant number of differential coexpressions, and (2) a reversal of gene coexpression occurred in two metabolic pathways involved in lycopene and flavonoid biosynthesis. Independent experimental verification of the findings for six selected genes was done using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Our findings suggest that differential coexpression may assist in the investigation of key regulatory steps in metabolic pathways. The approaches and results reported here will be useful to prioritize candidate genes for further functional genomics studies of tomato metabolism.
A Lipid Droplet Protein of Nannochloropsis with Functions Partially Analogous to Plant Oleosins
Authors: Vieler Astrid , Brubaker Shane B. , Vick Bertrand , Benning Christoph 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
As our understanding of the dynamics of lipid droplets (LDs) in animal, plant, and fungal cells is rapidly evolving, still little is known about the formation and turnover of these organelles in microalgae. Yet with the growing importance of algal feedstock for the production of biofuels and high-value lipids, there is a need to understand the mechanisms of LD dynamics in microalgae. Thus, we investigated the proteins associated with LDs of the emerging heterokont model alga Nannochloropsis sp. and discovered an abundant hydrophobic lipid droplet surface protein (LDSP) with unique primary sequence but structural similarities to other LD proteins. LDSP abundance in Nannochloropsis cells closely tracked the amount of triacylglycerols during conditions of oil accumulation and degradation. Functional characterization of LDSP in an Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) OLEOSIN1-deficient mutant allowed a separation of its physical and structural properties in its interaction with LDs from its physiological or biochemical activities. Although LDSP presence in Arabidopsis predictably affected LD size, it could not reverse the physiological impact of OLEOSIN deficiency on triacylglycerol hydrolysis during germination.
Assessing an e‐reader lending program: from pilot to mainstream service
Authors: Goodwin Susan , Shurtz Suzanne , Gonzalez Adriana , Clark Dennis 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess user preferences and perceptions of Texas A&M University Libraries' Kindle e‐book reader lending program, to determine if current lending practices and procedures adequately satisfy user needs.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was administered to library patrons who participated in the first full semester of the e‐reader lending program. Of the 63 individuals who borrowed a Kindle, 52 answered the 13‐question survey designed to elicit their feedback about their experiences borrowing and subsequently using a Kindle to read their requested e‐books. The format of the survey was varied, and included objective and short‐answer questions. When possible, responses included a five‐point Likert scale.FindingsAnalysis of the survey results indicates overall interest and support for the Libraries' e‐reader lending program. Participants mainly utilized Kindles to read popular titles, indicating that the lending program has found a niche within the Libraries' suite of media borrowing services to support leisure reading. Furthermore, from a collection development standpoint, the user‐driven acquisition policy for Kindle titles has served as an extension and virtual enhancement of the popular bestseller print collection.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first qualitative research reports on patron perceptions of an academic library e‐reader lending program. This study is likely to be of practical interest to academic librarians who are in the process of developing similar lending programs.
Motivation to learn and learning strategies
Authors: Togia Aspasia , Korobili Stella , Malliari Afrodite 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to give an insight to the motivation processes and learning strategies of the students of the Library and Information Systems (LIS) Department of Alexander Technological Educational Institute (ATEI), Thessaloniki, in courses encompassing Information Technology (IT).Design/methodology/approachThe students participated in the study between the 10th and 12th week of a 13‐week semester. Data were collected with the Science Motivation Questionnaire (SMQ) and the Self‐Regulated Learning Strategies component of the Motivational Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ). Independent samples t‐tests were used to indicate any associations between motivation to learn and learning strategies, with students' background characteristics. Multiple regression analysis was used to predict students' levels of motivation from the background characteristics, and their intention to continue their studies and to work as librarians/information professionals.FindingsResults showed that participants reported relatively increased levels of motivation and employment of effective learning strategies. Participants' intention to continue their studies in library/information science emerged as the only variable that significantly contributed to the equation for predicting self‐regulated learning from the whole set of predictors and also to the prediction of motivation to learn.Research limitations/implicationsThe SMQ was originally designed for science courses and the use of the translated and slightly modified version did not seem to be very sensitive in the IT learning context. A follow up study with different methodologies, would add to the weight of the present findings. In addition, future studies could focus on the particular factors that motivate students to learn IT and to achieve the learning objectives of the IT courses.Practical implicationsThe intended outcome of this survey was to provide LIS students and instructors with an assessing tool to evaluate motivation to learn IT and the effectiveness of the strategies employed in the process of acquiring knowledge and skills. Based on the results, faculty members can provide learning environments that promote motivation towards learning and encourage students to select and use more advanced and effective learning strategies. In addition, the results of the study provide an additional argument for organizing a postgraduate program at the LIS Department of ATEI, Thessaloniki.Originality/valueEmpirical research on learning attitudes of LIS students is limited. Moreover, motivation and learning strategies use have never been studied in the Greek context of library education, although IT literacy is an essential task and all LIS Departments' instructors share the important goal of fostering students' motivation to learn IT.
Focus on self‐repairing performance and mechanism of Cu‐DDP additive in base lubricating oil
Authors: Yidong Zhang 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to prove the self‐repairing Cu film of Cu‐DDP additive in base lubricating oil.Design/methodology/approachCu nanoparticles coated with dialkydithiophosphate (Coded as Cu‐DDP) were synthesized in situ by redox method. The size and structure of Cu‐DDP were characterized using transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) and electronic diffraction (ED) analysis. The self‐repairing performance of Cu‐DDP as additive in base lubricating oil was evaluated by MRH‐3 stock‐on‐ring testing machine. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), UMT‐2 tribometer, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and energy‐dispersive spectrum (EDS) were used to study the self‐repairing Cu film on the stock.FindingsThe test results showed that the modified Cu‐DDP additive in base lubricating oil exhibited excellent anti‐wear and friction‐reducing properties, as well as good self‐repairing performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe thickness of the self‐repairing Cu film was unknown, and the relationship between thickness of the Cu film and load, time, rotation velocity was still necessary to investigate.Practical implicationsThe Cu‐DDP additive was involved P and S elements, therefore, it is still promising to seek environment friendly additive without P and S elements.Originality/valueFor the first time, MRH‐3 stock‐on‐ring testing machine, Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), UMT‐2 tribometer, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and energy‐dispersive spectrum (EDS) were widely used to study the self‐repairing Cu film on the stock.
Preparation and tribological properties of a kind of lubricant containing calcium borate nanoparticles as additives
Authors: Hao Lifeng , Li Jiusheng , Xu Xiaohong , Ren Tianhui 
Published: February 2012

PurposeNanoparticles are not well dispersed in non‐polar organic solvents due to their hydrophilic property which limits their applications in lubricant oils. To improve the oil‐solubility of nanoparticles, a novel technology was used to prepare a kind of lubricant containing calcium borate nanoparticles.Design/methodology/approachThe microstructures of the prepared nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and infrared spectra (IR). Tribological properties of calcium borate nanoparticles used as additive in base oil were evaluated using four‐ball tribotester and SRV tribotester, and the worn surface of the steel ball was investigated by Polarized microscope (PM) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In addition, the dispersing stability and antioxidation property of lubricant containing nanoparticles were also studied.FindingsThe results indicate that the average size of the prepared nanoparticles is in the range of 50‐100 nm, and the surface of the nanoparticles was altered from hydrophilicity to hydrophobicity. At the same time, the nanoparticles can be well dispersed in the base oil totally under novel process which has no significantly negative effect on the antioxidation property. The results of tribological tests show that calcium borate nanoparticles under the novel process (CBNN) show better antiwear property and friction‐reducing property in base oil compared to calcium borate nanoparticles under tradition process (CBNT). Based on the results of PM and XPS, it can be deduced that a continuous resistance film containing depositions and the tribochemical reaction products such as B2O3, FeB, Fe2O3 and CaO formed during the sliding process.Originality/valueThe main innovative thought of this work lies in dealing with the oil‐solubility problem through the combination effect of surface modification and special blend process of lubricating oil, and this method was first used to prepare lubricant containing calcium borate nanoparticles. It should be helpful for the borate nanoparticles used as additives in engine oil, gear oil and other industrial lubricants.
Tribological properties of two kinds of rare earth complexes as lubricant additives for laser cladding coatings
Authors: Zhang Hao‐Bo , Xia Yan‐qiu , Liu Zhi‐lu , Zhao Jun 
Published: February 2012

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test two kinds of rare earth complexes of Lanthanum Dialkyldithiophosphate (LaDDP) and Lanthanum Dialkylphosphate (LaDP) as lubricant additives in liquid paraffin for the untreated 60Si2Mn steel and laser‐cladding Ni35A coating on 60Si2Mn steel sliding pairs which are a potential substitute for Zinc Dialkldithiophosphate (ZnDDP).Design/methodology/approachTribological properties were evaluated by an Optimol‐SRV oscillating friction and wear test. The morphologies of the worn surfaces were observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the chemical states of several typical elements on the worn surfaces were examined by means of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).FindingsTreated laser cladding coatings of steel can improve its hardness and strength and the coated steel possess higher load‐carrying capacity than that of 60Si2Mn; The rare earth complexes of LaDDP and LaDP possess good oil‐solubility, friction‐reducing and wear resistance properties. Those rare earth complexes as additives in liquid paraffin during the friction process can form a protective film containing rare earth oxide, sulfate and sulfur‐containing compound during the friction process.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper presents two kinds of potentially useful, environmentally‐friendly and highly efficient substitutes for the ZnDDP additives in lubricants.Practical implicationsOwing to their good friction‐reducing and wear resistance properties, LaDDP and LaDP are two optimum and promising industry lubrication additives.Originality/valueThis work is a new application of rare earth complex as lubricant additive in liquid paraffin, which provides a new direction for designing friction pairs and lubricant additive. The tribology experiments have been carried out through the variation of experiment conditions.