bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stem Cell Shape Regulates a Chondrogenic Versus Myogenic Fate Through Rac1 and N-Cadherin
Authors: Gao Lin , McBeath Rowena , Chen Christopher S. 
Published: January 2010

Abstract
Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are multipotent cells that can differentiate into many cell types. Chondrogenesis is induced in hMSCs cultured as a micromass pellet to mimic cellular condensation during cartilage development, and exposed to transforming growth factor β (TGFβ). Interestingly, TGFβ can also induce hMSC differentiation to smooth-muscle-like cell types, but it remains unclear what directs commitment between these two lineages. Our previous work revealed that cell shape regulates hMSC commitment between osteoblasts and adipocytes through RhoA signaling. Here we show that cell shape also confers a switch between chondrogenic and smooth muscle cell (SMC) fates. Adherent and well-spread hMSCs stimulated with TGFβ3 upregulated SMC genes, whereas cells allowed to attach onto micropatterned substrates, but prevented from spreading and flattening, upregulated chondrogenic genes. Interestingly, cells undergoing SMC differentiation exhibited little change in RhoA, but significantly higher Rac1 activity than chondrogenic cells. Rac1 activation inhibited chondrogenesis and was necessary and sufficient for inducing SMC differentiation. Furthermore, TGFβ3 and Rac1 signaling upregulated N-cadherin, which was required for SMC differentiation. These results demonstrate a chondrogenic-SMC fate decision mediated by cell shape, Rac1, and N-cadherin, and highlight the tight coupling between lineage commitment and the many changes in cell shape, cell-matrix adhesion, and cell-cell adhesion that occur during morphogenesis.
Cytotoxicity and secondary metabolites production in terrestrial Nostoc strains, originating from different climatic/geographic regions and habitats: Is their cytotoxicity environmentally dependent?
Authors: Hrouzek Pavel , Tomek Petr , Lukešová Alena , Urban Jan , Voloshko Ludmila , Pushparaj Benjamin , Ventura Stefano , Lukavský Jaromír , Štys Dalibor , Kopecký Jiří 
Published: January 2010

AbstractExtensive selection of cyanobacterial strains (82 isolates) belonging to the genus Nostoc, isolated from different climatic regions and habitats, were screened for both their secondary metabolite content and their cytotoxic effects to mammalian cell lines. The overall occurrence of cytotoxicity was found to be 33%, which corresponds with previously published data. However, the frequency differs significantly among strains, which originate from different climatic regions and microsites (particular localities). A large fraction of intensely cytotoxic strains were found among symbiotic strains (60%) and temperate and continental climatic isolates (45%); compared with the less significant incidences in strains originating from cold regions (36%), deserts (14%), and tropical habitats (9%). The cytotoxic strains were not randomly distributed; microsites that clearly had a higher occurrence of cytotoxicity were observed. Apparently, certain natural conditions lead to the selection of cytotoxic strains, resulting in a high cytotoxicity occurrence, and vice versa. Moreover, in strains isolated from a particular microsite, the cytotoxic effects were caused by different compounds. This result supports our hypothesis for the environmental dependence of cytotoxicity. It also contradicts the hypothesis that clonality and lateral gene transfer could be the reason for this phenomenon. Enormous variability in the secondary metabolites was detected within the studied Nostoc extracts. According to their molecular masses, only 26% of these corresponded to any known structures; thus, pointing to the high potential for the use of many terrestrial cyanobacteria in both pharmacology and biotechnology. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2011.
Allergy‐related cytokines (IL‐4 and TNF‐α) are induced by Di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate and attenuated by plant‐originated glycoprotein (75 kDa) in HMC‐1 cells
Authors: Lee Jin , Oh Phil‐Sun , Lim Kye‐Taek 
Published: January 2010

AbstractPhthalate esters as plasticizers have been widespread in the environment and may be associated with development of allergic diseases such as asthma and atopic dermatitis. In this study, we demonstrated that the CTB glycoprotein attenuates allergic reactions caused by di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in human mast cells (HMC‐1). This experiment evaluated degranulation of histamine and β‐hexosaminidase as well as activities of protein kinase C (PKC), stress‐activated protein kinase/c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK), activator protein (AP)‐1 and interleukin (IL)‐4 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α using immunoblotting and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Our results revealed that the CTB glycoprotein in the presence of DEHP inhibits degranulation of mast cell, translocation of PKC from cytosol to membrane, and phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK in HMC ‐1 cells. We also found that the CTB glycoprotein (100 μg mL−1) has suppressive effects on transcriptional activation of AP‐1, and on the expression of IL‐4 and TNF‐α in DEHP‐treated HMC‐1 cells. We suggest that the CTB glycoprotein inhibits degranulation of mast cells and expressions of cytokines in HMC‐1 cells. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2011.
Dynamic rheology, mechanical performance, shrinkage, and morphology of chemically coupled talc‐filled polypropylene
Authors: Jahani Yousef 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe oscillatory shear rheological properties, mechanical performance, shrinkage, and morphology of polypropylene (PP)‐talc composites chemically coupled by maleic‐anhydride‐grafted polypropylene (MAPP) were studied. The samples were prepared in a co‐rotating L/D = 40, 25 mm twin‐screw extruder. Tensile tests carried out on injection‐molded samples showed a reinforcing effect of talc up to 20 wt% on PP. Upon using MAPP, the mechanical performance of PP‐30% talc showed a maximum of about 10% increase in tensile strength at 1.5 wt% of MAPP. A Newtonian plateau (η0) at the terminal zone was observed for the complex viscosity curve of pure PP and PP‐talc composites plotted against frequency up to 30 wt%. Upon increasing the talc content to 40 and 50 wt%, the complex viscosity at very low shear rates sharply increased and showed yield behavior that might be due to the formation of a network of filler agglomerates in the melt. Analysis of viscosity behavior in the power‐law region revealed that the flow behavior index‐n‐decreased from 0.45 for 10 wt% of talc down to about 0.4 for 40 wt% of talc. Upon increasing the talc content to 50 wt%, n decreased to a value even lower than that of the neat PP resin. The frequency of the crossover point represents molecular mobility and relaxation‐time behavior. The crossover frequency of the composites was nearly constant up to 30 wt% of talc and decreased at higher filler loadings. The optimum amount of coupling agent could be correlated with the minimum point in crossover frequency and crossover modulus. The shrinkage behavior of the composites with and without MAPP resin was studied and correlated with the rheological properties. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation and characterization of polyaniline‐DBSNa/Fe2O3 and polyaniline‐DBSNa/CoO nanocomposites using surfactive dopant sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (DBSNa)
Authors: Eisazadeh Hossein , Khorshidi Hamid Reza 
Published: January 2010

AbstractNanocomposites of polyaniline (PAn) containing nanometer‐size Fe2O3 and CoO were synthesized by a chemical method using sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (DBSNa) as a surfactant. Characteristics of the products such as morphology, particle size, and conductivity were studied. The results indicated that these properties were dependent on the surfactant and the type and content of metallic oxide used. When the concentration of Fe2O3 and CoO increased from 1 to 5 g/L in the PAn‐DBSNa/Fe2O3 and PAn‐DBSNa/CoO composites, the conductivity decreased from 1.3 × 10−4 to 5.1 × 10−5 and from 1.4 × 10−4 to 5.1 × 10−5 S/cm, respectively, while the particle size increased from 92 to 103 and from 104 to 117 nm, respectively. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Mechanical properties of particulate‐filler/woven‐glass‐fabric‐filled vinyl ester composites
Authors: Yusriah L. , Mariatti M. , Abu Bakar A. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractStudies of the effect of particulate fillers on specific mechanical properties of vinyl ester epoxy (VE) reinforced with woven glass fiber composites were carried out with different filler types and particulate filler contents (1%, 3%, and 5% by weight). Two types of particulate filler were used, i.e., calcium carbonate (CC) and phenolic hollow microspheres (PHMS). The composites were prepared by using a hand lay‐up and vacuum bagging method. Woven glass fabric composites filled with particulate PHMS were observed to have better specific flexural strength and specific impact strength, as well as lower density, than those filled with particulate CC. Morphological features determined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) proved that the PHMS filler experienced good bonding in the VE matrix, a feature which contributed to the improvement in the properties of the composites. The incorporation of particulate fillers into the composites also influenced the storage modulus with a minimal effect on Tg. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of the combination of a benzophenone‐type ultraviolet absorber with thermal stabilizers on the photodegradation of poly(vinyl chloride)
Authors: Xiang Xiuqin , Chen Shuangjun , Zhang Jun , Chai Ruidan 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe effect of the combination of a UV absorber (Chimassorb 81) with different types of thermal stabilizers, including an organic calcium complex and an organotin mercaptide, on the photodegradation of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was investigated by color difference measurements, UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, and viscosity‐average molecular weight determination. Films of PVC containing 0.5 phr of Chimassorb 81, with and without 2 phr of a thermal stabilizer, were prepared by solution casting. Then the accelerated UV weathering of the films was carried out under xenon light with an irradiance of 0.51 W/(m2 · nm) at 65°C. The results showed that both Chimassorb 81 and the mixture of Chimassorb 81 with the organic calcium complex showed good behavior in inhibiting the photodehydrochlorination and photooxidation of PVC. In contrast, the combination of Chimassorb 81 and methyltin mercaptide significantly accelerated initial color development during the final 200 h of exposure because of the UV sensitivity of the organotin. Moreover, when Chimassorb 81 and the methyltin mercaptide were used together to stabilize PVC films, the expected antioxidant effect of the mixture was not observed, in contrast to the behavior found with other stabilized systems, perhaps because the Chimassorb 81 had been depleted by the methyltin mercaptide during the UV irradiation. The TG analysis revealed that ultraviolet irradiation had caused severe destruction of the PVC chains. However, addition of Chimassorb 81 or the combination of Chimassorb 81 with the organic calcium complex effectively prevented the destruction, as was demonstrated by changes in the activation energies for thermal degradation. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
From focus groups to peer discourse sessions: The evolution of a method to capture language, meaning, and negotiation
Authors: Manuel Tiffany , Kendall‐Taylor Nathaniel 
Published: January 2010

AbstractIn this article, the authors describe a unique approach to conducting and analyzing focus groups, described as peer discourse analysis. The primary objective of this analysis is to examine the shape and form of the discourses and negotiations that develop organically among peers in discussions of social issues. Peer discourse analysis has both descriptive and prescriptive utility, as it is also used to experiment with frames that might improve people's understanding of complex social problems.
Who says your frames are better than mine? Making the case for strategic framing by using the power of experimental research
Authors: Manuel Tiffany 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThis article details the experimental research on frame effects that provides quantitative evidence that some types of frames have a greater ability to move and affect policy support than others. This method is particularly useful in showing the magnitude by which exposure to alternative ways of thinking about social issues alters the public's policy preferences. This kind of evidence‐based approach to communications is a key to success in providing definitive evidence that strategic framing makes a difference in determining the outcome that matters most to policy advocates: public support.
VDM semantics of programming languages: combinators and monads
Authors: Mosses Peter D. 
Published: January 2010

Abstract

The Vienna Development Method (VDM) was developed in the early 1970s as a variant of denotational semantics. VDM descriptions of programming languages differ from the original Scott–Strachey style by making extensive use of combinators which have a fixed
operational
interpretation. After recalling the main features of denotational semantics and the Scott–Strachey style, we examine the combinators of the VDM specification language, and relate them to monads, which were introduced more than 15 years later. We also suggest that use of further monadic combinators in VDM could be beneficial. Finally, we provide an overview of published VDM semantic descriptions of major programming languages.
A denotational semantics for Handel-C
Authors: Butterfield Andrew 
Published: January 2010

AbstractWe present a denotational semantics for a fully functional subset of the Handel-C hardware compilation language (Celoxica Ltd., Handel-C Language Reference Manual, v3.0, 2002,http://www.celoxica.com), based on the concept of typed assertion traces. We motivate the choice of semantic domains by illustrating the complexities of the behaviour of the language, paying particular attention to the prialt (priority-alternation) construct of Handel-C. We then define the typed assertion traces over an abstract notion of actions, and demonstrate key properties of the key semantic operations on these. The denotational semantics is then given using traces with actions instantiated as state-transformers.
Single zircon U–Pb ages and geochemistry of granitoid gneisses from SW Poland: evidence for an Avalonian affinity of the Brunian microcontinent
Authors: MAZUR STANISŁAW , KRÖNER ALFRED , SZCZEPAŃSKI JACEK , TURNIAK KRZYSZTOF , HANŽL PAVEL , MELICHAR ROSTISTLAV , RODIONOV NICKOLAY V. , PADERIN ILYA , SERGEEV SERGEY A. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractSeven granitoid gneisses from the contact zone between the eastern margin of the Variscan belt and the Brunian microcontinent in SW Poland have been dated by ion-microprobe and207Pb/206Pb single zircon evaporation methods. The zircons define two age groups for the gneiss protoliths: (1) late Neoproterozoicc.576–560 Ma and (2) early Palaeozoicc.488–503 Ma granites. The granitoid gneisses belonging to the basement of the Brunian microcontinent contain abundant Mesoproterozoic to latest Palaeoproterozoic inherited material in the range of 1200–1750 Ma. The gneisses of the Variscan crustal domain lack Mesoproterozoic inherited zircon cores. Trace element geochemistry of Proterozoic gneisses reveals features resembling either volcanic arc or post-collisional granites. The studied rocks are geochemically similar to other Proterozoic orthogneisses derived from the basement of the Brunian microcontinent. Gneisses with early Palaeozoic protolith ages are geochemically comparable to granitoid gneisses widespread in the adjacent Sudetic part of the Bohemian Massif and are considered characteristic of peri-Gondwanan crust. Our data prove the dissimilarity between the Brunia plate and the westerly terranes of the Variscan belt. The occurrence of granitic gneisses with late Neoproterozoic protolith ages and widespread Mesoproterozoic inheritance in our dated samples support an East Avalonian affinity for the Brunian microcontinent. In contrast, the abundance of gneisses derived from an early Palaeozoic granitic protolith and devoid of Mesoproterozoic zircon cores supports the Armorican affinity of the Variscan domain bordering on the Brunia plate from the west. Structural evidence shows that the eastern segment of the Variscan belt is juxtaposed against the Brunian microcontinent along a N–S-trending tectonic contact, possibly equivalent to the Rheic suture.
Geochemical and palynological study of the Upper Famennian Dasberg event horizon from the Holy Cross Mountains (central Poland)
Authors: MARYNOWSKI LESZEK , FILIPIAK PAWEŁ , ZATOŃ MICHAŁ 
Published: January 2010

AbstractIntegrated palynological, organic and inorganic geochemical and petrographical methods have been used for deciphering the depositional redox conditions and character of organic matter of the Famennian Dasberg event horizon from the deep-shelf Kowala succession of the Holy Cross Mountains. The ages of the investigated samples have been established, using miospore data, as VF (Diducites versabilis–Grandispora famenensis) and LV (Retispora lepidophyta–Apiculiretusispora verrucosa) miospore Zones of the Middle/Upper Famennian. In the standard conodont zonation, this corresponds to the uppermost postera to lowermost praesulcata Zones. The presence of green sulphur bacteria biomarkers and dominance of small-sized framboids together with the presence of large framboids and low values of the U/Th ratio may indicate that during sedimentation of the lower Dasberg shale, intermittent anoxia occurred in the water column, or the anoxic conditions prevailed in the upper part of the water column, while the bottom waters were oxygenated, at least briefly. Deposition of the upper Dasberg shale was characterized by both bottom water and water column anoxia. The lack of acritarcha taxa from these intervals could have been due to anoxia in the photic zone. Moreover, organic content is high in those samples. There is no geochemical evidence for anoxia during sedimentation of the deposits sandwiched between the lower and upper Dasberg shales, or in the deposits which underlie and overlie both Dasberg shale horizons. The two discrete anoxic events are interpreted to be the result of major transgressions and the blooming of primary producers. Above the Dasberg shales, small fragments of charcoal and raised concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are detected. This supports the presence of wildfires during deposition of shales just above the boundary of VF/LV palynological zones. Temperatures calculated from the fusinite reflectance values suggest that the charcoal was formed in low-temperature ground and/or surface fires. The typical marine character of sedimentation combined with the high proportion of charcoals suggests that wildfires were large-scale, and that there was intensive transport of terrestrial material. The main causes of intensive wildfires were a significant rise of O2 in the atmosphere and important progress in the land plant diversity during Late Devonian times. Palynofacies studies suggest that the transgression corresponds to the part IIf of the Late Devonian sea-level curve.
Full-scale simulation study of stimulated electromagnetic emissions: The first ten milliseconds
Authors: ELIASSON BENGT , STENFLO LENNART 
Published: January 2010

AbstractA full-scale numerical study is performed of the nonlinear interaction between a large-amplitude electromagnetic wave and the Earth's ionosphere, and of the stimulated electromagnetic emission emerging from the turbulent layer, during the first 10 milliseconds after switch-on of the radio transmitter. The frequency spectra are downshifted in frequency and appear to emerge from a region somewhat below the cutoff of the O mode, which is characterized by Langmuir wave turbulence and localized Langmuir envelopes trapped in ion density cavities. The spectral features of escaping O-mode waves are very similar to those observed in experiments. The frequency components of Z-mode waves, trapped in the region between the O- and Z-mode cutoffs show strongly asymmetric and downshifted spectra.
Dust in fusion devices: The state of theory and modeling
Authors: KRASHENINNIKOV S. I. , SMIRNOV R. D. , PIGAROV A. YU. , SOBOLEVA T. K. , MENDIS D. A. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractDust in fusion plasma is a quickly developing field. In this paper the current states of theory and modeling of dust in fusion plasma are discussed and their results compared with available experimental data.
Drift eigenmodes in plasmas with negative ions
Authors: SALEEM HAMID 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe instabilities associated with drift waves can be suppressed (or even removed) by introducing negative ions into the usual electron ion plasma. The presence of negative ions causes a decrease in the amplitude of the perturbed electrostatic fields which are mainly produced by the difference of electron and ion masses. It is shown that the presence of negative ions is a stabilizing effect for drift eigenmode in a slab geometry and the frequency of this electrostatic mode is reduced. In a pure pair-ion plasma the convective cell mode can become unstable because of shear flow under certain conditions.
Solitary waves in a dusty adiabatic electronegative plasma
Authors: MAMUN A. A. , ASHRAFI K. S. , ANOWAR M. G. M. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe dust ion-acoustic solitary waves (SWs) in an unmagnetized dusty adiabatic electronegative plasma containing inertialess adiabatic electrons, inertial single charged adiabatic positive and negative ions, and stationary arbitrarily (positively and negatively) charged dust have been theoretically studied. The reductive perturbation method has been employed to derive the Korteweg-de Vries equation which admits an SW solution. The combined effects of the adiabaticity of plasma particles, inertia of positive or negative ions, and presence of positively or negatively charged dust, which are found to significantly modify the basic features of small but finite-amplitude dust-ion-acoustic SWs, are explicitly examined. The implications of our results in space and laboratory dusty electronegative plasmas are briefly discussed.
A model for predicting extragalactic jet lifetimes
Authors: SPICER D. S. , BINGHAM ROBERT , O'SULLIVAN S. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractIn this letter, we propose a model to explain the disintegration of extragalactic jets and to predict the associated timescale. The model assumes that a jet is current and charge neutral as well as collimated at its source; however, the forward electron current gradually decays producing a magnetic field transverse to the direction of jet propagation. This growing transverse magnetic field eventually causes the jet to disintegrate.