bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Collapse of acrylamide‐based polyampholyte hydrogels in water
Authors: Dogu Saadet , Kilic Melek , Okay Oguz 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe swelling behavior of balanced acrylamide (AAm)‐based polyampholyte hydrogels in water and in aqueous salt (NaCl) solutions was investigated. Equimolar ratio of the ionic comonomers 4‐vinylpyridine (cationic monomer) and acrylic acid (anionic monomer) were used together with the nonionic monomer AAm in the hydrogel preparation. The variations of the hydrogel volume in response to changes in pH were measured. It was found that the hydrogels are in a collapsed state not only at the pH of the isoelectric point pHIEP but also over a wide range of pH including pHIEP. The width of the collapsed plateau increased and the hydrogels assumed a more compact state as the ionic group content is increased. The antipolyelectrolyte behavior was observed along the collapsed plateau region, where the gel occupies a larger volume in salt solution. The experimental swelling data were compared with the predictions of the Flory‐Rehner theory of swelling equilibrium including the ideal Donnan equilibria. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Orbits of Comets C/1845 L1 (Great June Comet) and C/1846 D1 (de Vico)
Authors: Branham R.L. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractOrbits are calculated for Comet C/1845 L1 (the Great June Comet) and C/1846 D1 (de Vico), the former based on 157 observations in right ascension and 152 in declination and the latter on 10 and 9, respectively. Both orbits are hyperbolic and statistically distinguishable from parabolas. Statistical tests indicate that the residuals are random and thus the orbits satisfactory. The Great June Comet is in no way associated with the comet Tycho Brahe observed in 1596 (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Parameters of the components of visually close binary systems: Hip 11352
Authors: Al‐Wardat M.A. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractModel atmospheres of the components of the visually close binary system Hip 11352 were constructed using a grid of Kurucz's blanketed models. The entire observational spectral energy distribution of the system was used as a reference for the comparison with synthetic ones created from the model atmospheres. The parameters of the components of the system were derived as Teffa = 5650 ± 50 K, Teffb = 5550 ± 50 K, log ga = 4.47 ± 0.13, log gb = 4.49 ± 0.13, Ra = 0.92 ± 0.03 R⊙, Rb = 0.88 ± 0.02 R⊙, Ma = 0.93 ± 0.05 M⊙, Mb = 0.89 ± 0.05 M⊙, with a spectral type G7 for the primary and G9 for the secondary. The synthetic magnitudes and of both components were calculated using Johnson‐Cousins, Strömgren, and Tycho photometrical systems. Finally the formation and evolution of the system was discussed (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Specific immuno capturing of the Staphylococcal superantigen toxic‐shock syndrome toxin‐1 in plasma
Authors: Adams Hendrik , Brummelhuis Walter , Maassen Bram , van Egmond Nathalie , Khattabi Mohamed El , Detmers Frank , Hermans Pim , Braam Branko , Stam Jord , Verrips Theo 
Published: April 2009

AbstractToxic‐shock syndrome is primarily caused by the Toxic‐shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST‐1), which is secreted by the Gram‐positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. The toxin belongs to a family of superantigens (SAgs) which exhibit several shared biological properties, including the induction of massive cytokine release and Vβ‐specific T‐cell proliferation. In this study we explored the possibility to use monoclonal Variable domains of Llama Heavy‐chain antibodies (VHH) in the immuno capturing of TSST‐1 from plasma. Data is presented that the selected VHHs are highly specific for TSST‐1 and can be efficiently produced in large amounts in yeast. In view of affinity chromatography, the VHHs are easily coupled to beads, and are able to deplete TSST‐1 from plasma at very low, for example, pathologically relevant, concentrations. When spiked with 4 ng/mL TSST‐1 more than 96% of TSST‐1 was depleted from pig plasma. These data pave the way to further explore application of high‐affinity columns in the specific immuno depletion of SAgs in experimental sepsis models and in sepsis in humans. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009; 104: 143–151 © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Kinetic study of β‐amyloid residue accessibility using reductive alkylation and mass spectrometry
Authors: Ramos Irina , Fabris Dan , Qi Wei , Fernandez Erik J. , Good Theresa A. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBeta‐amyloid peptide (Aβ) is the major protein constituent found in senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is believed that Aβ plays a role in neurodegeneration associated with AD and that its toxicity is related to its structure or aggregation state. In this study, an approach based on chemical modification of primary amines and mass spectrometric (MS) detection was used to identify residues on Aβ peptide that were exposed or buried upon changes in peptide structure associated with aggregation. Results indicate that the N terminus was the most accessible primary amine in the fibril, followed by lysine 28, then lysine 16. A kinetic analysis of the data was then performed to quantify differences in accessibility between these modification sites. We estimated apparent equilibrium unfolding constants for each modified site of the peptide, and determined that the unfolding constant for the N terminus was approximately 100 times greater than that for K28, which was about six times greater than that for K16. Understanding Aβ peptide structure at the residue level is a first step in designing novel therapies for prevention of Aβ structural transitions and/or cell interactions associated with neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009; 104: 181–192 © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of graphical human interface technology for use in experimental temperature‐sensing module
Authors: Shyr Wen‐Jye 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe use of technology in learning and teaching enriches engineering curricula. Most technological applications establish a user‐friendly environment based on a graphical user interface. This work proposes experimental temperature‐sensing modules based on the graphical user interface system. This system elucidates for students the principles, function and application of temperature sensor, and also learn how to use the graphical monitoring and control system. Students can design a graphical monitor program in advance to monitor and control the temperature sensor modules. Students learn, verify and acquire lectured concepts by performing sensor experiments in the laboratory. The most important part of the system is the implementation of the experimental module in laboratory sessions using the graphical user interface system. The purpose of this work is to emphasize that the graphical user interface can valuably support teaching and learning. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 19: 487–492, 2011
Synthesis of Methanes Having Four Different Carbon Substituents Utilizing Indium‐Catalyzed Cleavage of Carbon–Pyrrolyl Bonds
Authors: Tsuchimoto Teruhisa , Ainoya Taku , Aoki Kazuki , Wagatsuma Tatsuya , Shirakawa Eiji 
Published: April 2009

AbstractA pyrrolyl group bound to an sp3 carbon atom in gem‐dipyrrolylalkanes was found to be successfully replaced by a certain range of carbon nucleophiles in the presence of an indium catalyst. The reaction can also be performed efficiently as a three‐component assembly of alkynes, pyrroles, and carbon nucleophiles in one batch. The strategy is highly useful to synthesize methanes having four different carbon substituents. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Analysis of biosolids equilibrium moisture and drying
Authors: Bellur Srikanth R. , Coronella Charles J. , Vásquez Victor R. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractProvided that moisture is well managed, biosolids, or digested wastewater sludge, can be converted from an expense to a resource of renewable energy. Toward this goal, the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) for biosolids was determined experimentally in the ranges of 10–84% relative humidity and 30–60°C. Several well‐known models were used to fit the EMC data, including a new one that considers mixing and swelling effects on water activity. The rate of drying was measured as a function of temperature and gas velocity in a 3‐inch fluidized bed. The drying rate increased with temperature and was independent of gas velocity. In all cases, the drying rate continuously decreased; no period of constant rate was observed. This indicates that the dominant resistance to drying was internal diffusion. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2009
Advantages of psychrophiles in improving bio‐treatment efficiency of small size constructed wetlands during cold weather
Authors: Ying G. , Xing Y. , Li Z. , Pan J. , Kuang X. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractConstructed wetland technique for waste water treatment has many advantages, including high treatment efficiency, low investment and energy cost, and easy operation and maintenance. However, the inhibitive effect of low temperature on treatment efficiency remains a serious problem in cold weather for many small size wetlands. In this study, the application of cold‐tolerating bacteria in maintaining the nitrogen waste treatment efficiency of small size constructed wetland during cold weather was investigated in Hebei province, northern China. Three strains of cold‐resistant bacteria were purified, and their physiological characteristics in terms of growth rate and generation time under different growth conditions were tested. The effects of various environmental factors on the growth of these strains were also investigated, including ambient temperature, dissolved oxygen, carbon concentration, bio‐retention time and pH. These strains of purified bacteria were then applied to constructed wetland systems, and their effects on nitrogen removal in cold temperatures were measured. It was found that these bacteria strains significantly improved the nitrogen removal efficiency of the constructed wetlands, suggesting a promising role that these microorganisms play in improving the efficiency of small size constructed wetlands in waste water treatment in cold weather. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2010
Characteristic improvement of metal‐contaminated sludge using mineralization technology
Authors: Hu Shao‐Hua , Wu Jun‐Yi , Hsiao Ting‐Che , Tsai Min‐Shing 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis study focuses on improving crystalline characteristics of metal‐contaminated sludge. The mineralization behavior of Cu/Al or Cu/Fe coexisting in solution is surveyed, and the characteristics of residue and suspension settling are discussed in the context of water content of residue and settling/specific filtration resistance of suspensions. Experimental data show that the hydrate of Cu4SO4(OH)6 forms during mineralization of copper sulfate solution when hydroxide ion concentration, reaction time, and temperature are not controlled appropriately. Mineral characteristics of the residue are usually poor when the Cu4SO4(OH)6 forms in Cu/Al or Cu/Fe solution. However, Cu4SO4(OH)6 can be further transformed into CuO with wet oxidation or ferrite method, respectively (i.e., mineralization treatment). Water reduction of the residue is from 96.8% to 72.8% in the Cu/Al case or 95.6% to 66.6% in the Cu/Fe case, and the mineralized residue volume is only 1/10 of the hydrate sediment. This is particularly beneficial for sludge disposal. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2010
Appraisal of caregiving burden, expressed emotion and psychological distress in families of people with eating disorders: A systematic review
Authors: Zabala Maria Jose , Macdonald Pamela , Treasure Janet 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe purpose of this review is to appraise the literature regarding psychological distress, burden and expressed emotion (EE) in caregivers of people with eating disorders (EDs). Electronic databases were searched up until October 2008. Selected studies contained carers of people with ED and employed one measure of burden, EE or psychological distress. Twenty studies were identified measuring psychological distress burden and EE. Most of the studies examined these features in families of anorexic patients. The majority of the studies found high levels of psychological distress, burden and EE in this population. Only few studies included a control group. Carers of people with ED presented high levels of psychological distress and burden. ED carers tend to have levels of EE resembling that found in families of depressed patients, rather than schizophrenic patients. There is some evidence (particularly for EE) that these factors can impact the outcome of ED. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
In situcharacterization of grain‐scale fluvial morphology using Terrestrial Laser Scanning
Authors: Hodge Rebecca , Brasington James , Richards Keith 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe grain‐scale morphology of fluvial sediments is an important control on the character and dynamics of river systems; however current understanding of its role is limited by the difficulties of robustly quantifying field surface morphology. Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) offers a new methodology for the rapid acquisition of high‐resolution and high‐precision surface elevation data fromin situsediments. To date, most environmental and fluvial applications of TLS have focused on large‐scale systems, capturing macroscale morphologies. Application of this new technology at scales necessary to characterize the complexity of grain‐scale fluvial sediments therefore requires a robust assessment of the quality and sources of errors in close‐range TLS data. This paper describes both laboratory and field experiments designed to evaluate close‐range TLS for sedimentological applications and to develop protocols for data acquisition. In the former, controlled experiments comprising high‐resolution scans of white, grey and black planes and a sphere were used to quantify the magnitude and source of three‐dimensional (3D) point errors resulting from a combination of surface geometry, reflectivity effects and inherent instrument precision. Subsequently, a methodology for the collection and processing of grain‐scale TLS data is described through an application to a coarse grained gravel system, the River Feshie (D5032 to 63 mm). This stepwise strategy incorporates averaging repeat scans and filtering scan artefact and non‐surface points using local 3D search algorithms. The sensitivity of the results to the filter parameter values are assessed by careful internal validation of Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) created from the resulting point cloud data. The transferability of this methodology is assessed through application to a second river, Bury Green Brook, dominated by finer gravel (D5018 to 33 mm). The factor limiting the resolution of DTMs created from this second dataset was found to be the relative sizes of the laser footprint and smallest grains. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A threshold factor multivariate stochastic volatility model
Authors: So Mike K. P. , Choi C. Y. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractA new multivariate stochastic volatility model is developed in this paper. The main feature of this model is to allow threshold asymmetry in a factor covariance structure. The new model provides a parsimonious characterization of volatility and correlation asymmetry in response to market news. Statistical inferences are drawn from Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. We introduce news impact analysis to analyze volatility asymmetry with a factor structure. This analysis helps us to study different responses of volatility to historical market information in a multivariate volatility framework. Our model is successful when applied to an extensive empirical study of twenty stocks. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High frequency of MAGE‐A4 and MAGE‐A9 expression in high‐risk bladder cancer
Authors: Bergeron Alain , Picard Valérie , LaRue Hélène , Harel Francois , Hovington Hélène , Lacombe Louis , Fradet Yves 
Published: April 2009

AbstractCancer‐testis (CT) genes encode proteins that are ideal targets for cancer immunotherapy because of their restricted expression in normal tissues and frequent expression in cancers. We previously observed that MAGE‐A9 was one of the CT genes most frequently expressed in bladder tumors. To confirm that observation and evaluate the potential prognostic value of MAGE‐A9 protein, we analyzed its expression by immunohistochemistry in 493 primary bladder tumors and 33 lymph node metastases, in comparison with MAGE‐A4 protein, also frequently expressed in bladder tumors. Overall, MAGE‐A4 and MAGE‐A9 were observed, respectively, in 38% and 63% of nonmuscle‐invasive tumors, 48% and 57% of muscle‐invasive tumors, 65% and 84% of carcinomas in situ and in 73% and 85% of lymph node metastases. Expression was associated with higher grade (MAGE‐A4, p = 0.007; MAGE‐A9, p = 0.012). In multivariate Cox regression analyses, expression of MAGE‐A9 in pTa tumors was associated with recurrence (HR = 1.829; p = 0.010). In univariate analyses, MAGE‐A4 expression in these same tumors was associated with progression to muscle‐invasive cancer (HR = 7.417, p = 0.013). MAGE‐A9 expression was even more predictive of progression as all tumors that progressed expressed this antigen. In muscle‐invasive bladder tumors, no association was found between expression of either MAGE and bladder cancer‐specific death. In conclusion, MAGE‐A9 is a target of choice for bladder cancer immunotherapy as it is expressed in 60% of bladder tumors, predominantly high‐grade tumors, and at higher frequency in pTis and metastatic tumors. Moreover, in pTa tumors, an immunotherapy targeting MAGE‐A9 could be protective against recurrence and progression to more advanced cancer. © 2009 UICC
Expression of esophageal cancer related gene 4 (ECRG4), a novel tumor suppressor gene, in esophageal cancer and its inhibitory effect on the tumor growth in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Li Lin‐Wei , Yu Xi‐Ying , Yang Yang , Zhang Chun‐Peng , Guo Li‐Ping , Lu Shih‐Hsin 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe ECRG4 gene was initially identified and cloned in our laboratory from human normal esophageal epithelium (GenBank accession no. AF325503). We revealed the expression of ECRG4 protein was downregulated in 68.5% (89/130) ESCC samples using tissue microarray. The low ECRG4 protein expression was significantly associated with regional lymph node metastasis, primary tumor size, and tumor stage in ESCC (p < 0.05). ECRG4 mRNA expression was downregulated in ESCC due to the hypermethylation in the gene promoter. The treatment with 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine, which is a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor restored ECRG4 mRNA expression in ESCC cells. The result indicated that promoter hypermethylation may be 1 main mechanism leading to the silencing of ECRG4. The high expression of ECRG4 in patients with ESCC was associated with longer survival compared with those with low ECRG4 expression by Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis (p < 0.05). ECRG4 protein was an independent prognostic factor for ESCC by multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis (p < 0.05). The restoration of ECRG4 expression in ESCC cells inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, anchorage‐independent growth, cell cycle progression and tumor growth in vivo (p < 0.05). The transfection of ECRG4 gene in ESCC cells inhibited the expression of NF‐κB and nuclear translocation, in addition to the expression of COX‐2, a NF‐κB target gene, was attenuated. Taken together, ECRG4 is a novel candidate tumor suppressor gene in ESCC, and ECRG4 protein is a candidate prognostic marker for ESCC. © 2009 UICC
Lidocaine: An inhibitor in the free‐radical‐induced hemolysis of erythrocytes
Authors: Tang You‐Zhi , Liu Zai‐Qun , Wu Di 
Published: April 2009

AbstractLidocaine was reported to protect erythrocytes from hemolysis induced by 2,2′‐azobis(2‐amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH). Since AAPH‐induced hemolysis was a convenient in vitro experimental system to mimic erythrocytes undergoing peroxyl radicals attack, the aim of this work was to investigate the antioxidant effect of lidocaine on AAPH‐induced hemolysis by chemical kinetics. As a result, one molecule of lidocaine can only trap 0.37 radical, much lower than melatonin. Meanwhile, lidocaine cannot protect erythrocytes from hemolysis induced by hemin, which the mechanism of hemolysis was due to the erythrocyte membrane destroyed by hemin. Accordingly, lidocaine protected erythrocytes by scavenging radicals preferentially rather than by stabilizing membrane. Moreover, the interactions of lidocaine with two radical species, including 2,2′‐azinobis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonate) radical cation (ABTS+•) and 2,2′‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), indicated that lidocaine can reduce ABTS+• with 260 µM as the 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) and cannot react with DPPH. Thus, lidocaine served as a reductant rather than a hydrogen donor to interact with radicals. Finally, the quantum calculation proved that, compared with the melatonin radical, the stabilization of N‐centered radical of lidocaine was higher than the amide‐type N‐centered radical but lower than the indole‐type N‐centered radical in melatonin. These results provided basic information for lidocaine to be an antiradical drug. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 23:81–86, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20267
Effect of thermochemical sludge pretreatment on sludge reduction and on performances of anoxic‐aerobic membrane bioreactor treating low strength domestic wastewater
Authors: Do Khac‐Uan , Banu J. Rajesh , Chung Ik‐Jae , Yeom Ick‐Tae 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: Reduction of excess sludge production has become an urgent issue. An investigation into the influence of thermochemical sludge pretreatment on sludge reduction in a bench‐scale anoxic‐aerobic membrane bioreactor was performed. Two systems were operated. In one system, part of the mixed liquid (1.5% of the influent flow rate) was pretreated thermochemically (at 80 °C, pH 11 and 3 h) and returned to the bioreactor. This study examined and evaluated the effect of thermochemical sludge pretreatment on the reduction of excess sludge and on the performance of the system.RESULTS: The average solubilization efficiency of the pretreated sludge was found to be about 0.2. The sludge production rate of the experimental system (E‐MBR) was less than that of the control (C‐MBR) by about 33%. The total phosphorus was removed mainly by normal cell synthesis, with removal efficiencies of 38–40% and 40–42% for the E‐MBR and C‐MBR, respectively. The total nitrogen removal in the E‐MBR was slightly higher than in the C‐MBR due to supply of soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) from the digested sludge solution as an external carbon source. The mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS) and mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) ratios for the two systems were almost identical, in the range 74–77%, indicating that the inorganics from the disintegrated cells do not accumulate as particulates in the reactor. The TMP was maintained at less than 6 cmHg for 180 days without membrane cleaning.CONCLUSION: Thermochemical sludge pretreatment can play an important role in reducing sludge production. The qualities of the effluent water were not significantly affected during 6 months of operation. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry