bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implementation of spin‐echo blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) functional MRI in birds
Authors: Poirier Colline , Verhoye Marleen , Boumans Tiny , Van der Linden Annemie 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe advent of high‐field MRI systems has allowed the implementation of blood oxygen level‐dependent functional MRI (BOLD fMRI) on small animals. An increased magnetic field improves the signal‐to‐noise ratio and thus allows an improvement in the spatial resolution. However, it also increases susceptibility artefacts in the commonly acquired gradient‐echo images. This problem is particularly prominent in songbird MRI because of the presence of numerous air cavities in the skull of birds. These T2*‐related image artefacts can be circumvented using spin‐echo BOLD fMRI. In this article, we describe the implementation of spin‐echo BOLD fMRI in zebra finches, a small songbird of 15–25 g, extensively studied in the behavioural neurosciences of birdsong. Because the main topics in this research domain are song perception and song learning, the protocol implemented used auditory stimuli. Despite the auditory nature of the stimuli and the weak contrast‐to‐noise ratio of spin‐echo BOLD fMRI compared with gradient‐echo BOLD fMRI, we succeeded in detecting statistically significant differences in BOLD responses triggered by different stimuli. This study shows that spin‐echo BOLD fMRI is a viable approach for the investigation of auditory processing in the whole brain of small songbirds. It can also be applied to study auditory processing in other small animals, as well as other sensory modalities. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Progressive renal distortion by multiple cysts in transgenic mice expressing artificial microRNAs against Pkd1
Authors: Wang Ellian , Hsieh‐Li Hsiu‐Mei , Chiou Yuan‐Yow , Chien Yi‐Lin , Ho Hua‐Hui , Chin Hsian‐Jean , Leo Wang Chi‐Kuang , Liang San‐Chi , Jiang Si‐Tse 
Published: August 2010

AbstractAutosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is one of the most common life‐threatening inherited diseases, and the PKD1 gene is responsible for most cases of this disease. Previous efforts to establish a mouse model that recapitulates the phenotypic characteristics of ADPKD, which have used conventional or conditional knockout of the mouse orthologue Pkd1, have been unsuccessful or unreliable. In a previous study, we described the generation of a novel Pkd1 hypomorphic allele, in which Pkd1 expression was significantly reduced but not totally blocked. These Pkd1 homozygous mutant mice rapidly developed renal cystic disease, supporting the hypothesis that ‘haploinsufficiency’ explains development of the ADPKD phenotype. In the present study, we further investigated the Pkd1 haploinsufficiency effect by generating Pkd1 knockdown transgenic mice with co‐cistronic expression of two miRNA hairpins specific to Pkd1 transcript and an Emerald GFP reporter driven by a human ubiquitin B promoter. Two transgenic lines which had ∼60–70% reduction of Pkd1 expression developed severe renal cystic disease at a rate similar to that of human ADPKD. These results further support the haploinsufficiency hypothesis, and suggest that the onset and progression of the renal cystic diseases are correlated with the level of Pkd1 expression. The two novel mutant lines of mice appear to be ideal models for the study of ADPKD. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of annealing temperature and time on structure and performance of poly(vinyl)alcohol nanocomposite membranes
Authors: Sabetghadam Anahid , Mohammadi Toraj 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe importance of annealing process in tuning the morphological properties of membranes is obvious. In this study, poly(vinyl)alcohol as a continuous phase in nanocomposite membranes was crosslinked by mixed silanes. Tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTEOS) as two kinds of silane coupling agents go through cohydrolization and cocondensation reactions during sol–gel process to create nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. The condensation reaction is endothermic, which leads to formation of linking bonds between silica nanoparticles and polymer chains during dehydration process. This reaction is sensitive to temperature and time of annealing. The results showed that the PAT33 nanocomposite membrane performs much better separation than other prepared membranes. In this work, effects of annealing temperature and time on physicochemical properties of the prepared nanocomposite membranes and their pervaporation performance were investigated. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Labeling elastase digests with TMT: Informational gain by identification of poorly detectable peptides with MALDI‐TOF/TOF mass spectrometry
Authors: Baeumlisberger Dominic , Arrey Tabiwang N. , Rietschel Benjamin , Rohmer Marion , Papasotiriou Dimitrios G. , Mueller Benjamin , Beckhaus Tobias , Karas Michael 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe applicability of the less specific protease elastase for the identification of membrane and cytosolic proteins has already been demonstrated. MALDI as ionization technique particularly favors the detection of basic and to a lesser extent of weakly acidic peptides, whereas neutral peptides often remain undetected. Moreover, peptides below 700 Da are routinely excluded. In the following study, the advantage of additional information gained from tandem mass tag zero labeled peptides and the resultant increase in sequence coverage was evaluated. Through derivatization with tandem mass tag reagents, peptide measurement within the standard mass range of the MALDI reflector mode is achievable due to the mass increase. Compared to the unlabeled sample, peptides exhibiting relatively low molecular masses, pI values or higher hydrophobicity could be identified.
Experiencing positive change after a diagnosis of breast cancer: a grounded theory analysis
Authors: Horgan Olga , Holcombe Chris , Salmon Peter 
Published: August 2010

AbstractObjective: Recent research recognises that many individuals experience positive psychological changes following a diagnosis of cancer. Such positive change is related to well‐being, and some psychological interventions have promoted such change in women with breast cancer. However, neither qualitative nor quantitative studies have adequately explained the process of this change.Method: This grounded theory study explored the process whereby positive emotional changes arose in 20 women (mean age 53 years) diagnosed with breast cancer.Results: Most women experienced several positive changes as a result of their breast cancer. Analyses suggested that changed priorities in life and increased empathy for others emerged from the patients' reflections upon the suffering they endured during their illness. By contrast, increased self‐confidence appeared to emerge from reflecting on how they managed their illness, and from concluding that they had been courageous in doing so. Factors promoting reflections included acceptance of breast cancer, ending treatments, and communication from others that emphasised rather than minimised the personal significance of cancer.Conclusions: Findings extend current trauma‐processing theories and can inform the timing and design of clinical interventions to improve adjustment to breast cancer. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cobalt‐doped ZnO prepared by electrochemistry: Chemistry, morphology, and magnetism
Authors: Matei Elena , Enculescu Ionut , Vasilache Violeta , Teodorescu Cristian Mihail 
Published: August 2010

AbstractZnO:Co thin films are prepared by electrochemical deposition at different overpotentials and investigated by scanning electron microscopy, optical spectroscopy, and cathodoluminescence, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Kerr magnetometry (MOKE). An increase of structural disorder and crystallite reorientation are observed for cobalt‐doped samples. MOKE magnetometry revealed room‐temperature ferromagnetic behavior only for ZnO:Co deposited at −850 mV. These are the samples with the lower cobalt content and lowest structural perturbation of the ZnO matrix by cobalt.
Enhancement of the structure stability of MOF‐5 confined to multiwalled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Chen Xuecheng , Lukaszczuk Pawel , Tripisciano Carla , Rümmeli Mark H. , Srenscek‐Nazzal Joanna , Pelech Iwona , Kalenczuk Ryszard J. , Borowiak‐Palen Ewa 
Published: August 2010

AbstractIn this contribution, we present a study on the synthesis and structure stability of metal‐organic framework 5 [Zn4O(bdc)3; bdc = 1,4‐benzenedicarbocylate] (MOF‐5) confined to the hollow space of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). MOF‐5, apart from its significant potential for applications such as novel storage media for natural gases and hydrogen, suffers from very high structural instability when exposed to atmospheric moisture. Additionally, the standard analysis of this structure by means of transmission electron microscope (e.g. 200 kV acceleration voltage) is difficult due to its rapid decomposition upon the exposure to the electron beam. All these difficulties may be overcome when MOF‐5 is confined within the core of an MWCNT.magnified image
Scheme representing the stability of MOF‐5 confined in MWCNT cavity even upon exposure to electron beam irradiation or atmospheric moisture.
Optical and thermal properties of graphene field‐effect transistors
Authors: Freitag Marcus 
Published: August 2010

AbstractGraphene has attracted immense interest due to its unique electronic structure with conical bands and zero bandgap (Novoselov et al., Nature 438, 197 (2005) 1), and high carrier mobility (Du et al., Nature Nanotech. 3, 491 (2008) 2, Bolotin et al., Solid State Commun. 146, 351 (2008) 3). While field‐effect transistors (FETs) using graphene as the channel material have been shown to perform well at high frequencies (Lin et al., Science 327, 662 (2010) 4), their use for logic applications requires opening of a bandgap to reduce the off‐state current. The thermal properties of graphene FETs also need to be better understood, since self‐heating and power management become important in high‐density, high‐performance electronics. The interaction of graphene with photons (visible and infrared) can shed new light onto all these issues. Here, we review various avenues of bandgap opening in graphene and bilayer graphene. Wherever available, optical experiments that corroborate the bandgap opening will be discussed. The thermal properties of graphene FETs, also measured by optical means, will be presented next. Finally, photocurrent experiments that can be used to determine band‐bending in active graphene channels will be discussed.
Photoluminescence of single‐wall carbon nanotube films
Authors: Chernov Alexander I. , Obraztsova Elena D. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractIn this work, we report the photoluminescence (PL) studies of the films produced by different methods from pristine single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The suspensions of CoMoCAT and HiPCO SWNTs were used to make two different types of films: the polymer films with embedded SWNTs and the SWNT films deposited onto quartz substrates through filtration. A density gradient ultracentrifugation (DGU) has been used for enrichment of the initial carbon nanotube suspensions with semiconducting SWNTs and extraction of various diameter nanotubes to reveal a role of the nanotube interaction in the films. Optical diagnostic techniques including Raman spectroscopy, UV–VIS–NIR absorption spectroscopy, and PL have been used for characterization and comparison of the initial suspensions and films formed from them. A PL mapping has revealed an arrangement of carbon nanotubes inside the films. A cross‐linkage between the individual SWNTs appeared to be higher inside the films deposited via filtration than in the polymer films with dispersed SWNTs. magnified image
The images of objects under investigation (from left to right): a SWNT suspension after DGU; a film deposited onto quartz substrate and a polymer film with embedded SWNTs
Numerical analysis of an influence of oxygen adsorption at a SnO2 surface on the electronic parameters of the induced depletion layer
Authors: Izydorczyk Weronika 
Published: August 2010

AbstractIn this work the influence of oxidation of a SnO2 thin film on the development of a depletion layer was studied by using computer simulations. The surface potential and in‐depth potential profiles in the depletion region were calculated by solving the Poisson–Boltzmann equation for finite SnO2 flat grains (partially or totally depleted) using slab geometry. The effect of the donor (oxygen vacancies in the bulk) mobility on electrical potential inside grains with different thicknesses was discussed. Furthermore, in‐depth profiles of mobile donor Nd(r) and electron n(r) concentrations in the depletion layer were computed for different densities of negative charge trapped in the surface states, as a result of oxygen adsorption. It was assumed that the bulk oxygen vacancies (donors) are singly ionized and mobile.
Plasmon induced modification of the transverse magneto‐optical response in Fe antidot arrays
Authors: Torrado J. F. , Papaioannou E. Th. , Ctistis G. , Patoka P. , Giersig M. , Armelles G. , Garcia‐Martin A. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractIn this Letter we present the effects that the excitation of plasmon‐like modes in periodically perforated Fe films have over the Transverse Magneto‐Optical Kerr Effect (TMOKE). The excitation of the modes gives rise to clear signatures in the TMOKE spectra. We analyze the spectral position of the structures as a function of both the polar and azimuth angle.magnified imageSchematic representation of the system, and TMOKE signal for a Fe membrane along φ = 0°.(© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Chemopreventive activity of Azadirachta indica on two‐stage skin carcinogenesis in murine model
Authors: Arora N. , Koul A. , Bansal M. P. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe present study reports the chemopreventive activity of aqueous Azadirachta indica leaf extract (AAILE) in a murine two‐stage skin carcinogenesis model. Skin tumors were induced by topical application of 7,12‐dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) (500 nmol/100 µL for 2 weeks) followed by 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA) (1.7 nmol/100 µL of acetone, twice weekly) as a promoter. Male LACA mice were divided into four groups: control, DMBA/TPA, AAILE and AAILE + DMBA/TPA. AAILE was administered orally at a dose level of 300 mg/kg body weight thrice a week for 20 weeks. 100% tumor incidence was observed in the DMBA/TPA treated animals, whereas the AAILE + DMBA treated animals exhibited a tumor incidence of 58.3% only. A significant reduction in the mean tumor burden (54.5%) and mean tumor volume (45.6%) was observed in the mice that received AAILE along with DMBA/TPA. Topical application of DMBA/TPA to the skin resulted in well‐developed carcinomas associated with decreased expression of pro‐apoptotic protein such as caspase 3 and enhanced expression of antiapoptotic protein such as bcl‐2 when compared with the control counterparts. However, adminstration of AAILE inhibited skin carcinogenesis with induction of pro‐apoptotic proteins such as bax, caspase 3, caspase 9 and inhibition of antiapoptotic proteins such as bcl‐2. These results suggest that the induction of apoptosis may be one of the mechanisms underlying the chemopreventive effects of A. indica. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A demonstration of cycled 4D‐Var in the presence of model error
Authors: Cullen M. J. P. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe justification for the standard four‐dimensional variational data assimilation (4D‐Var) method used at several major operational centres assumes a perfect forecast model, which is clearly unrealistic. However, the method has been very successful in practice. We investigate the reasons for this using a toy model with fast and slow time‐scales and with non‐random model error. The model error is chosen so that the solution remains predictable on both time‐scales. The fast modes are much less well observed than the slow modes. We show that poorly observed modes can be best forecast by using a regularization matrix in place of the background‐error covariance matrix, and using it to give a much stronger constraint than that implied by the true background error for these modes. The effect is that use can be made of observations over a longer time period. This allows the resulting forecast‐error growth to be reduced to much less than that of random perturbations generated using the analysis‐error covariance matrix and even less than the model error growth given sufficiently accurate observations. © Crown Copyright 2010. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seasonal changes of abiotic and biotic gradients downstream a multiple use reservoir in a Mediterranean River
Authors: Lucadamo L. , Mezzotero A. , Voelz N. J. , Gallo L. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe effect of regulated flow regimentation on hydrogeomorphological variables, autochthonous and allochthonous trophic sources and macroinvertebrates communities of the Mucone River, Calabria (Italy) were studied in May, August and November 2005 at three study sites.The first site (M1) was located close to the impoundment, the second one (M2) immediately upstream from the first permanent tributary (Cerreto stream) and the third one (M3) about 1 km downstream from the Cerreto confluence.Our results suggest that hydrogeomorphological gradients already exist in spring but their strongest development, with major consequences for the lotic biota, take place only with the beginning and ending of the dry season.Reduction of river width, shading due to well preserved riparian alder trees and marked sand deposition in November, were the variables negatively affecting epilithic microalgae biomass at site M1. These factors partially relieved at M2 site and became much less important at M3 resulting in the highest levels of autotrophic periphyton production.Coarse particulate organic matter accumulation exhibited an opposite trend due to the lack of discharge peaks at M1, whereas in November, litter fall removed most differences between stations.In May macrozoobenthic communities of the three stations were relatively similar (reophilous gatherer and scraper taxa). In November sand accumulation reduced spatial heterogeneity and habitats density close to the Cecita dam promoting settlement of shredder sand tolerant taxa (Plecoptera: Leuctridae) and a drop of community biodiversity. Flow reactivation, especially after Cerreto confluence, hindered sand accumulation, favoured autochthonous primary production and increased energy sources for macroinvertebrates. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differential Regulation of Proliferation and Differentiation in Neural Precursor Cells by the Jak Pathway
Authors: Kim Yun Hee , Chung Jee-In , Woo Hyun Goo , Jung Yi-Sook , Lee Soo Hwan , Moon Chang-Hyun , Suh-Kim Haeyoung , Baik Eun Joo 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Neuronal precursor cells (NPCs) are temporally regulated and have the ability to proliferate and differentiate into mature neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes in the presence of growth factors (GFs). In the present study, the role of the Jak pathway in brain development was investigated in NPCs derived from neurosphere cultures using Jak2 and Jak3 small interfering RNAs and specific inhibitors. Jak2 inhibition profoundly decreased NPC proliferation, preventing further differentiation into neurons and glial cells. However, Jak3 inhibition induced neuronal differentiation accompanied by neurite growth. This phenomenon was due to the Jak3 inhibition-mediated induction of neurogenin (Ngn)2 and NeuroD in NPCs. Jak3 inhibition induced NPCs to differentiate into scattered neurons and increased the expression of Tuj1, microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2), Olig2, and neuroglial protein (NG)2, but decreased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression, with predominant neurogenesis/polydendrogenesis compared with astrogliogenesis. Therefore, Jak2 may be important for NPC proliferation and maintenance, whereas knocking-down of Jak3 signaling is essential for NPC differentiation into neurons and oligodendrocytes but does not lead to astrocyte differentiation. These results suggest that NPC proliferation and differentiation are differentially regulated by the Jak pathway.
Human Fibrinogen Patches Application Reduces Intra‐Abdominal Infectious Complications in Pancreas Transplant with Enteric Drainage
Authors: Padillo J. , Arjona‐Sánchez A. , Ruiz‐Rabelo J. , Regueiro J. C. , Canis M. , Rodriguez‐Benot A. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of the study was to analyze the incidence of intra‐abdominal infectious complications after the application of a fibrinogen sealant to the duodenojejunal anastomosis in simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplants (SPK) with enteric drainage.MethodsResults of 68 SPKs with enteric drainage were prospectively assessed. A fibrinogen and thrombin sheet was applied to the duodenojejunal anastomosis in 34 patients, who were compared to a control group of 34 patients. The incidence and severity of intra‐abdominal infectious complications and the 1‐year patient and grafts survival were analyzed.ResultsEighteen patients experienced intra‐abdominal infectious complications. Grade 1a complications occurred in the study group, whereas surgery was required only in patients from the control group: complications grade 3a (15%) and complications grade 3b (18%) (p = 0.003 vs. study group, respectively). The overall rate of anastomotic leakage (complications grade 2b and 3b) was 10%, all of which occurred in the control group. The length of hospital stay was higher in the control group was 34.6 ± 11.3 days vs. 22.8 ± 11.1 days (p = 0.03). There were no significant differences in 1‐year patient and graft survival between groups.ConclusionsIn our study, the application of fibrinogen and thrombin sheets was associated to a decrease in the number and severity of intra‐abdominal infectious complications.
Surgical Decision‐making in Immediate Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Musgrave Kylie J. , Bochner Melissa , Kollias James 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBackgroundImmediate breast reconstruction has been accepted as safe and practical after mastectomy for breast cancer; factors limiting its use are patient comorbidities and potential complications caused by adjuvant therapies (particularly radiotherapy). The aim of this study was to identify factors considered by surgeons when deciding whether to offer immediate breast reconstruction, to determine the surgeon’s accuracy when predicting postmastectomy radiotherapy, and to assess the impact of premastectomy investigations on decision‐making.MethodsFour oncoplastic breast surgeons completed a survey for every mastectomy performed over an 11‐month period. On the survey form they indicated reason for mastectomy, investigations available premastectomy, if they offered immediate reconstruction, and if not offered, why they did not offer it. Data on adjuvant therapies employed was also collected.ResultsA total of 157 women underwent mastectomy during the study period. Seventy‐six (48.4%) were offered immediate reconstruction and 36 (22.9%) accepted. The most common reason for not offering immediate reconstruction was the predicted need for postmastectomy radiotherapy (56.8%). Of the 76 patients offered immediate reconstruction, 9 went onto be offered postmastectomy radiotherapy (11.8%). Decision‐making was no more accurate in those women who had MRI, axillary staging, or excisional pathology available premastectomy.ConclusionsThe most common reason for not offering immediate breast reconstruction is the need for postmastectomy radiotherapy and surgeons are able to predict this accurately. The addition of invasive and expensive staging investigations premastectomy does not appear to assist this decision‐making process. Despite careful patient selection, a high rate of immediate reconstruction may be maintained.