bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reproducibility and Efficiency of Carbon Nanotube End‐Group Generation and Functionalization
Authors: Andersson Claes‐Henrik , Grennberg Helena 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIn a systematic fashion, several methods for esterification and amidation of single‐walled carbon nanotubes have been evaluated with focus on efficiency and reproducibility in forming covalently functionalized products soluble in organic media. The outcome of transformations was determined using IR, Raman and NMR spectroscopy and by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Amidation proceeding via a SWNT‐(COCl)n intermediate yielded the expected covalent product, whereas carboxylate salt formation dominated with other attempted methods. Esterification was achieved via the acyl chloride method and via alkylation of SWNT‐(COO–)n, the latter being the more efficient method. A non‐covalent solubilizing interaction was obtained for RNH2 but not for ROH (R = octadecyl), proving that the most important non‐covalent interaction between oxidatively cleaned SWNTs and octadecylamine is a salt formation. The outcome of the secondary functionalization of carboxyl units is highly reproducible for experiments carried out on the same batch of SWNT‐(COOH)n. Normalization of the outcome of the secondary functionalization to the composition of the different batches of starting materials reveals an overall high reproducibility of the secondary functionalizations. The differences in outcome related to different commercial SWNT batches from the same synthetic procedure is negligible compared to that resulting from differences in overall carboxyl content after the primary HNO3 oxidative cleaning step. Hence, the composition of purified SWNT starting materials always needs to be assessed, in particular before drawing any conclusions concerning differences in outcome from reaction systems involving different sources of SWNT material. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Genotyping whole‐genome‐amplified DNA from 3‐ to 25‐year‐old neonatal dried blood spot samples with reference to fresh genomic DNA
Authors: Hollegaard Mads Vilhelm , Thorsen Poul , Norgaard‐Pedersen Bent , Hougaard David Michael 
Published: July 2009

AbstractStored surplus of dried blood spot (DBS) samples from neonatal screening programs constitute a vast potential for large genetic epidemiological studies. However, age of the samples and the small amounts of DNA available may limit their usage. In this study we validate genotyping accuracy and efficiency of whole‐genome‐amplified DNA (wgaDNA) obtained from stored DBS samples, with reference to fresh genomic DNA from the same individuals. DBS samples from 29 volunteers, stored for up to 25 years, in the Danish Neonatal Screening Biobank were included and three DNA extraction methods, each using one 3.2 mm disk, were evaluated. Four whole‐genome amplification kits, and one re‐amplification kit, were used. Thirty‐one SNPs were genotyped using the Sequenom platform and the wgaDNA samples calls were compared with their references for accuracy and efficiency evaluation. The genotype calls done blinded by the user had in many setups a 100% call‐ and concordance rate. Our results showed that genotyping performance is dependent on the combination of extraction procedure and amplification method, whereas years of storage did not seem to influence in this study. Based on these results we conclude that DBS samples should be considered a reliable and potential resource for future genotyping studies.
Highly sensitive detection of chiral amino acids by CE based on on‐line stacking techniques
Authors: Tseng Wei‐Lung , Hsu Chih‐Yao , Wu Tsung‐Han , Huang Shiou‐Wen , Hsieh Ming‐Mu 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWe report a novel means for chiral separation and stacking of amino acids by MEKC with LED‐induced fluorescence detection. Naphthalene‐2,3‐dicarboxaldehyde, hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (Hp‐β‐CD), SDS, and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) serve as a derivatized agent, chiral selector, pseudostationary phase, and concentrated medium, in sequence. To improve speed, resolution, and stacking efficiency, the analysis of chiral amino acids was performed under discontinuous conditions – the capillary was filled with a solution of 100 mM Tris‐borate, 150 mM SDS, and 50 mM Hp‐β‐CD, whereas buffer vials contain 20 mM Tris‐borate, 150 mM SDS, 50 mM Hp‐β‐CD, and 0.5% w/v PEO. A solution of nonionic PEO enters the capillary with the help of EOF during the separation. Through interaction of SDS micelles/Hp‐β‐CD and chiral amino acid, the negatively charged complexes migrated into the PEO solution and stacked at the boundary between the sample zone and the PEO solution. Compared with normal sample injection (10 nL sample volume), a several hundred‐fold sensitivity improvement for chiral amino acids was obtained under the injection of 270 nL sample volume (30% of the capillary volume). Meanwhile, the LOD at S/N of three for DL‐amino acids were in the range of 0.18–0.22 nM. The proposed method has been applied for the determination of DL‐leucine in urine and plasma samples.
Dual‐asymmetry electrokinetic flow focusing for pre‐concentration and analysis of catecholamines in CE electrochemical nanochannels
Authors: Wu Ren‐Guei , Yang Chung‐Shi , Lian Cheng‐Kuang , Cheing Ching‐Chang , Tseng Fan‐Gang 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIn this research, a technique incorporating dual‐asymmetry electrokinetic flow (DAEKF) was applied to a nanoCE electrochemical device for the pre‐concentration and detection of catecholamines. The DAEKF was constructed by first generating a ζ‐potential difference between the top and bottom walls, which had been pre‐treated with O2 and H2O surface plasma, respectively, yielding a 2‐D gradient shear flow across the channel depth. The shear flow was then exposed to a varying ζ‐potential along the downstream direction by control of the field‐effect in order to cause downward rotational flow in the channel. By this mechanism, almost all of the samples were effectively brought down to the electrode surface for analysis. Simulations were carried out to reveal the mechanism of concentration caused by the DAEKF, and the results reasonably describe our experiment findings. This DAEKF technique was applied to a glass/glass CE electrochemical nanochip for the analysis of catecholamines. The optimum detection limit was determined to be 1.25 and 3.3 nM of dopamine and catechol, respectively. A detection limit at the zeptomole level for dopamine can be obtained in this device, which is close to the level released by a single neuron cell in vitro.
ABO genotyping by single strand conformation polymorphism – using CE
Authors: Lee James Chun‐I , Hsieh Hsing‐Mei , Teng Hsiao‐Feng , Lo Sheng‐Chiang , Linacre Adrian , Tsai Li‐Chin 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThis study describes a novel method of ABO genotyping using amplicons generated by PCR‐SSCP and separated by CE. We describe four amplicons with sizes of 112, 121, 123 and 160 bp based on SSCP analysis. These amplicons are amplified from exons 6 and 7 and include polymorphic sites of cDNA 261, 297, 467, 526, 646, 657, 681, 703, 1061 and 1096 generated from the ABO gene. The positions of the SSCP alleles, when rescaled using SSCP pattern as the mobility values based on an internal standard ranged, ranged from 146 to 210. The mobility variations of alleles with 1–4 SNPs within the same amplicons were from 1.88 to 12.01. These wide mobility differences allow for unambiguous allele determination. The use of different fluorescent dyes allows for the identification of two fragments with overlapping size ranges. The validity of the test was confirmed based on the SD of the mobility values from the eleven fragments of allelic ladder and it never exceeded 0.37. The mean values of the mobility variation between the samples and the ladders for the four amplicons ranged only from 0.05 to 0.39. This method was shown to successfully identify alleles A1, A1v, B, O1, O1v and O2 in tested samples. Since the largest amplicons are only 160 bp, this method is ideal for the fast screening ABO genotypes from trace, or seriously, degraded samples and may be valuable in clinical transfusion or forensic applications.
Evaluation of a combined activated carbon prefilter and biotrickling filter system treating variable ethanol and ethyl acetate gaseous emissions
Authors: Sempere Feliu , Gabaldón Carmen , Martínez‐Soria Vicente , Penya‐roja Josep Manuel , Álvarez‐Hornos Francisco Javier 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe removal of a 1:1 by weight mixture of ethanol and ethyl acetate was studied in a gas phase biotrickling filter running under conditions that simulated industrial emissions from the flexographic sector, i.e. discontinuous loading (twelve hours per day and five days per week) and oscillating concentration of the inlet stream. Three sets of experimental conditions were tested in which empty‐bed residence time varied from 60 to 25 s (inlet loads from 50 to 90 g C m−3 h−1). The biotrickling filter reached a maximum elimination capacity of 48.5 g C m−3 h−1 (removal efficiency=68.9%) for an empty‐bed residence time of 40 s. A decrease in the residence time from 40 to 25 s adversely affected the elimination capacity (40.3 g C m−3 h−1, removal efficiency=46.6%). For the three tested residence times, outlet concentrations during pollutant feeding were above 100 mg C m−3 (EU legal limit for flexographic facilities). Then an activated carbon prefilter was installed to buffer the fluctuating concentration, enabling a more stable operation. The desorbed pollutant from the activated carbon during non‐feeding hours also served as an extra source of substrate, avoiding severe starvation. The use of the activated carbon prefilter with a volume 25 times lower than that of the bioreactor was shown to reach an average outlet emission concentration lower than 50 mg C m−3 operating the biotrickling filter at an empty‐bed residence time of 40 s, with a maximum elimination capacity of 59.6 g C m−3 h−1 (removal efficiency=92.0%).
Microbiotic crusts as biomarkers for surface stability and wetness duration in the Negev Desert
Authors: Kidron Giora J. , Vonshak Ahuva , Abeliovich Aharon 
Published: July 2009

AbstractMicrobiotic crusts play an important role in arid and semi‐arid regions. Yet, very little information exists regarding the factors that impact their development. In an attempt to assess the main factors that may determine their growth, measurements of the amount of fines (silt and clay), rain, moisture content, wetness duration and wind erosion and deposition were carried out along a 12 station transect within a partially crusted dune field in the western Negev Desert and compared to the crust cover and chlorophyll content. Surface stability was the only variable that exhibited significant relationship with crust cover while daylight wetness duration exhibited strong positive relationship (r2 = 0·92–0·99) with the crust's chlorophyll content. The data point out that microbiotic crusts may serve as a useful biomarker for surface stability. While wetness duration and wind will control crust cover and the crust chlorophyll content in semi‐stable habitats (with absolute annual change in sand level of 2–3 mm), stable habitats (absolute change <1 mm) will be controlled primarily by moisture, while habitats with low surface stability (absolute change of tens and hundreds of millimeters) will be primarily controlled by wind. Furthermore, owing to the strong positive relationship between daylight wetness duration and the crust's chlorophyll content, the crust may serve as a useful biomarker for the quantification of surface wetness duration. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Holocene evolution of a rock‐bounded barrier‐lagoon system, Cíes Islands, northwest Iberia
Authors: Costas Susana , Sobrino Castor Muñoz , Alejo Irene , Pérez‐Arlucea Marta 
Published: July 2009

AbstractCoastal geomorphology results from the combined effects of contemporary dynamics, sea‐level rise and the inherited geological framework, yet the relative importance of these driving mechanisms may change throughout the evolutionary history of coastal deposits. In this contribution, we analyse the depositional history of the Cíes Islands barrier‐lagoon system, based on lithofacies, radiocarbon ages, and pollen analysis. Our results reveal a sedimentary sequence that provides evidence for striking changes in the dynamical functioning of this complex since the mid‐Holocene. The sedimentary sequence commenced about 7700 cal yearsbpby fresh‐water ponding of an upland depression located about 4 m below present mean sea‐level. Fresh‐water ponds were infilled by aeolian sediments following a gradual lowering of the water‐table 4000 cal yearsbp. Post‐3600 cal yearsbpsea‐level rise allowed water oscillations to reach the elevation of the bedrock causing the inundation of fresh‐water ponds and subsequent lagoonal and marine sedimentation. Subsequently, landward and upward migration of a sand‐barrier led to overwash and deposition of sand in the newly formed lagoon.The resultant sedimentary sequence suggests that climatic conditions played an important role controlling the sedimentation regime during the entire history of the basin; changing water‐table levels during early stages of evolution and increasing storminess during more recent times. In addition, background sea‐level rise related to the Holocene transgression was a key factor in controlling the evolution of the system, yet its influence depended to an extent on the relative elevation of the bedrock topography. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Power Generation and Electrochemical Analysis of Biocathode Microbial Fuel Cell Using Graphite Fibre Brush as Cathode Material
Authors: You S.‐J. , Ren N.‐Q. , Zhao Q.‐L. , Wang J.‐Y. , Yang F.‐L. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractTo improve cathodic efficiency and sustainability of microbial fuel cell (MFC), graphite fibre brush (GFB) was examined as cathode material for power production in biocatalysed‐cathode MFC. Following 133‐h mixed culturing of electricity‐producing bacteria, the MFC could generate a reproducible voltage of 0.4 V at external resistance (REX) of 100 Ω. Maximum volumetric power density of 68.4 W m–3 was obtained at a current density of 178.6 A m–3. Upon aerobic inoculation of electrochemically active bacteria, charge transfer resistance of the cathode was decreased from 188 to 17 Ω as indicated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis. Comparing investigations of different cathode materials demonstrated that biocatalysed GFB had better performance in terms of half‐cell polarisation, power and Coulombic efficiency (CE) over other tested materials. Additionally, pH deviation of electrolyte in anode and cathode was also observed. This study provides a demonstration of GFB used as biocathode material in MFC for more efficient and sustainable electricity recovery from organic substances.
Narrow framing: Professions, sophistication, and experience
Authors: Liu Yu‐Jane , Wang Ming‐Chun , Zhao Longkai 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWe document support for the narrow framing effect proposed by Tversky, A. and Kahneman, D. (1981). Our findings that traders in an options market frame complicated investment decisions into simpler ones support the narrow framing effect. Traders' professionalism, sophistication, and trading experience are negatively correlated with the degree of narrow framing, implying that these factors help to reduce investors' behavioral bias. Our study bridges the gap between the psychological literature and financial literature in terms of the relationship between experience/sophistication and narrow framing. The article sheds light on the decision‐making process in an options market, and the relationship between narrow framing and sophistication/experience. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 30:203–229, 2010
Correcting “winner's curse” in odds ratios from genomewide association findings for major complex human diseases
Authors: Zhong Hua , Prentice Ross L. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractGenome‐wide association studies (GWAS) provide an important approach for identifying common genetic variants that predispose to human disease. However, odds ratio (OR) estimates for the reported findings from GWAS discovery data are typically affected by a bias away from the null sometimes referred to the “winner's curse”. Also standard confidence intervals (CIs) may have far from the desired coverage rates. We applied a bias reduction method to GWAS findings from several major complex human diseases, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, type I diabetes, and type II diabetes. We found the simple bias correction procedure allows one to estimate bias‐adjusted ORs that have substantial consistency with ORs from subsequent replication studies, and that corresponding selection‐adjusted CIs appear to help quantify the uncertainty of the findings. Selection‐adjusted ORs and CIs can provide a reliable summary of GWAS data, and can help to choose single nucleotide polymorphisms for subsequent validation studies. Genet. Epidemiol. 34:78–91, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Knowledge as a mediator between HRM practices and innovative activity
Authors: Lopez‐Cabrales Alvaro , Pérez‐Luño Ana , Cabrera Ramón Valle 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe objective of this paper is to test how human resources management (HRM) practices and employees' knowledge influence the development of innovative capabilities and, by extension, a firm's performance. Results confirm that HRM practices are not directly associated with innovation unless they take into account employees' knowledge. Specifically, our analyses establish a mediating role for the uniqueness of knowledge between collaborative HRM practices and innovative activity, a positive influence of knowledge‐based HRM practices on valuable knowledge, and a positive contribution of innovations to the company's profit. We tested hypotheses in a sample of firms from the most innovative Spanish industries through structural equation modeling. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Knowledge processes and learning outcomes in MNCs: an empirical investigation of the role of HRM practices in foreign subsidiaries
Authors: Simonin Bernard L. , Özsomer Ayşegül 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBy examining the case of American and European firms operating in Japan, this article contributes to the central debate of how and when multinational corporations (MNCs) learn from their foreign subsidiaries. Through structural equation modeling, we assess how specific human resource management (HRM) practices (critical thinking encouragement, supervisory encouragement, learning incentives, deployment of internal mechanisms and processes, expatriation, and corporate training) enhance (1) knowledge transfer outflows from the subsidiary to other parts of the MNC and (2) the subsidiary's performance in its local market. We find learning orientation to be a key antecedent of all HRM practices we investigated. From a practical point of view, a noticeable finding relates to the lack of effects of critical thinking encouragement on market knowledge acquisition and dissemination when (1) there is a significant presence of expatriates in the subsidiary and (2) when local managers have access to training programs at headquarters (HQ) and other affiliates. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transferring subsidiary knowledge to global headquarters: subsidiary senior executives' perceptions of the role of HR configurations in the development of knowledge stocks
Authors: Yamao Sachiko , Cieri Helen De , Hutchings Kate 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWe examine the role played by subsidiaries' human resource (HR) practices in the development of subsidiaries' knowledge stocks (defined as human and social capital) and the association of such knowledge stocks with knowledge transfer from subsidiaries to headquarters in multinational corporations (MNCs). Drawing on a survey of 151 Australian subsidiary senior executives of U.S., German, and Japanese MNCs, our findings suggest that the role of subsidiaries' HR practices lies in nurturing ties between a subsidiary and its external stakeholders and in accumulating knowledge of strategic importance not only for the subsidiary but also for its headquarters. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Acute cognitive effects of donepezil in young, healthy volunteers
Authors: Zaninotto Ana LC , Bueno Orlando FA , Pradella‐Hallinan Márcia , Tufik Sérgio , Rusted Jenny , Stough Con , Pompéia Sabine 
Published: July 2009

AbstractObjectiveThe acute nootropic potential of donepezil in young healthy volunteers has not been adequately investigated mainly because in previous studies: (1) effects were assessed before peak‐plasma concentration (Tmax) was reached; (2) only a few cognitive processes were assessed. Here we investigated a myriad of cognitive effects of augmentation of acetylcholine using an acute dose of donepezil in healthy adults at theoretical Tmax.MethodsThis was a double‐blind, placebo controlled, parallel group design study of cognitive effects of acute oral donepezil (5 mg). Subjects were tested twice after donepezil ingestion: 90 min (time that coincides with previous testing in the literature) and 210 min. (theoretical Tmax). The test battery included tasks that tap cognitive domains that are sensitive to acetylcholine manipulations.ResultsAt both testing times donepezil improved long‐term recall of prose, objects recall, recall of spatial locations, and integration of objects with their locations, some effects having been related to self‐reported mood enhancement. However, improvement of performance in the central executive measure (backward digit span) occurred only at Tmax.ConclusionPositive cognitive effects of acute donepezil can be observed in various cognitive domains including mood, but its full nootropic potential is more clearly found close to theoretical peak‐plasma concentration. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Treatment of cognitive dysfunction in chronic schizophrenia by augmentation of atypical antipsychotics with buspirone, a partial 5‐HT1Areceptor agonist
Authors: Piškulić Danijela , Olver James S. , Maruff Paul , Norman Trevor R. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractObjectivesTo assess effects of a semi‐acute administration of buspirone in comparison to a placebo on cognitive function and negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.MethodsIn a 6‐week, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, independent groups study 18 subjects (14 males, four females) received in random order either placebo or buspirone (15–30 mg/day). A neuropsychological assessment using the Hopkins verbal learning test (HVLT) simple reaction time (SRT), choice reaction time (CRT), n‐back spatial working memory task and the stroop colour and word test was performed at baseline and final visit. Symptom rating scales were administered at testing weeks 0, 2, 4 and 6.ResultsRepeated measures ANOVA was used to examine changes in performance on tests over time. There were no statistically significant differences between placebo and buspirone treatments on either cognitive function measures or symptom ratings.ConclusionSemi‐acute adjunct treatment with buspirone may be too short to be clinically efficacious in patients with schizophrenia. Intrinsic activation of 5‐HT1Areceptors by atypical antipsychotics may hinder the ability of buspirone to further improve cognitive functions. Buspirone did not affect clinical outcomes for this chronically ill group of patients being treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.