bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improvement of surface and moisture resistance of epoxy resins with fluorinated glycidyl ether
Authors: Wang Chengzhong , Zuo Yu 
Published: July 2009

AbstractLaurylfluoro glycidyl ether (FGE) was synthesized by laurylfluoro‐1‐pentanol with epichlorohydrin, and confirmed by FTIR and 13C‐NMR. The surface properties, moisture absorption, and mechanical properties of the epoxy resins modified by different content of laurylfluoro glycidyl ether acted as mono functional thinner were investigated by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), universal testing machine (UTM), dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer (DMTA), etc. The fluorine content at the surface of the modified resins were enriched greatly with the increase of the content of laurylfluoro glycidyl ether, and the hydrophobic property of the resins surface increased. When the FGE content was 10%, the fluorine content at the surface of the modified epoxy resin reached to 66% and the water contact angle was 102°. The equilibrium moisture content of the resin dropped by 30% when the content of FGE was 5%. The mechanical properties of the epoxy resins modified by FGE were improved while the thermal mechanical properties changed little at low content of FGE (less than 3%). Further increase of FGE content in the epoxy resins may result in decreases of the mechanical and thermal mechanical properties of the resins. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Properties and morphologies of elastomer blends modified with EPDM‐g‐poly[2‐dimethylamino ethylmethacrylate]
Authors: Botros Samir H. , Moustafa Ahmed F. , Essa Mohamed M. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe graft copolymerization of 2‐dimethylamino ethylmethacrylate (DMAEMA) onto ethylene propylene diene mononer rubber (EPDM) was carried out in toluene via solution polymerization technique at 70°C, using dibenzoyl peroxide as initiator. The synthesized EPDM rubber grafted with poly[DMAEMA] (EPDM‐g‐PDMAEMA) was characterized with 1H‐NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The EPDM‐g‐PDMAEMA was incorporated into EPDM/butadiene acrylonitrile rubber (EPDM/NBR) blend with different blend ratios, where the homogeneity of such blends was examined with scanning electron microscopy and DSC. The scanning electron micrographs illustrate improvement of the morphology of EPDM/NBR rubber blends as a result of incorporation of EPDM‐g‐PDMAEMA onto that blend. The DSC trace exhibits one glass transition temperature (Tg) for EPDM/NBR blend containing EPDM‐g‐PDMAEMA, indicating improvement of homogeneity. The physico‐mechanical properties after and before accelerated thermal aging of the homogeneous, and inhomogeneous EPDM/NBR vulcanizates with different blend ratios were investigated. The physico‐mechanical properties of all blend vulcanizates were improved after and before accelerated thermal aging, in presence of EPDM‐g‐PDMAEMA. Of all blend ratios under investigation EPDM/NBR (75/25) blend possesses the best physico‐mechanical properties together with the best (least) swelling (%) in brake fluid. Swelling behavior of the rubber blend vulcanizates in motor oil and toluene was also investigated. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Systematic Studies using 2‐(1‐Adamantylethynyl)pyrimidine‐5‐carbaldehyde as a Starting Material in Soai’s Asymmetric Autocatalysis
Authors: Busch Mark , Schlageter Martin , Weingand Daniel , Gehring Timo 
Published: July 2009

AbstractHerein, we present a new substrate for the Soai reaction, which has an adamantylethynyl residue (1 g) and exhibits asymmetric autocatalysis, yielding products with enantiomeric excesses above 99 %. For the first time, all reactions were performed on a parallel synthesizer system to ensure identical reaction conditions. A detailed systematic study of reaction parameters was performed and we report the highest enhancements of enantiomeric excess reported so far in the Soai reaction in one reaction cycle (7.2→94.1 % ee or 3.1→92.1 % ee). Our results led to a set of reaction parameters that yield reproducible results. Therefore, our new starting material 1 g is suitable for systematic and mechanistic studies on this remarkable reaction. A series of experiments designed to quantify the amplification of enantiomeric excess demonstrated that the reaction can be used in principle as a tool for the detection of low enantiomeric excesses: under definite conditions, an unknown low enantiomeric excess (0.1–7 %) was amplified to a detectable one. A back calculation to the original value offers a new method for the determination of small enantiomeric excesses.
Stereoselective synthesis and characterization of new enantiomerically pure phosphoric acids
Authors: Biaggi Cinzia , Benaglia Maurizio , Annunziata Rita , Rossi Sergio 
Published: July 2009

AbstractStarting from (R)‐6,6′‐dimethyldiphenyl‐2,2′‐dicarboxylic acid, a novel class of enantiomerically pure cyclic dialkyl phosphates was synthesized and properly characterized. The absolute configuration was determined by 2D NOESY experiments. The catalytic behavior of the new chiral Bronsted acids was investigated in the stereoselective addition of a silyl keteneacetal to aldimines. The Mannich‐type reaction was promoted in up to 94% yields and enantioselectivities up to 55%. On the basis of preliminary molecular mechanic calculations, a model of stereoselection was also proposed to explain the sense of the enantioselectivity observed in the reaction. Chirality 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Toxicity Assessment by Microtox® in Sediments, Pore Waters and Sediment Saline Elutriates in the Gulf of Gdansk (Baltic Sea)
Authors: Łukawska‐Matuszewska Katarzyna , Burska Dorota , Niemirycz Elzbieta 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe toxicity of sediments in the Gulf of Gdansk is analyzed in relation to the chemical composition of interstitial and near‐bottom waters, and sediment properties. The toxicity of sediments, pore waters and saline elutriates is determined by using the Microtox® test based on changes in light production of the luminescent bacteria Vibrio fischeri. The results indicate considerable toxicity in the majority of examined sediments. Since the sediment elutriates and pore waters are toxic in some cases, the total toxicity of the sediments is likely to be due to both sediment‐bound and water soluble substances. The sediment toxicity is related to the percentage contribution of the fine fraction of sediments. A significant correlation between the toxicity of the sediments and the black carbon content implies anthropogenic contamination. The toxicity of the sediments is seen to increase with the increase of hydrogen sulfide concentration in pore waters. The ammonia in pore waters was found not to be responsible for the toxicity of the sediments.
The morphology and spatial arrangement of astrocytes in the optic nerve head of the mouse
Authors: Sun Daniel , Lye‐Barthel Ming , Masland Richard H. , Jakobs Tatjana C. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWe evaluated the shapes, numbers, and spatial distribution of astrocytes within the glial lamina, an astrocyte‐rich region at the junction of the retina and optic nerve. A primary aim was to determine how the population of astrocytes, collectively, partitions the axonal space in this region. Astrocyte processes labeled with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) compartmentalize ganglion cell axons into bundles, forming “glial tubes,” and giving the glial architecture of the optic nerve head in transverse section a honeycomb appearance. The shapes of individual astrocytes were studied by using transgenic mice that express enhanced green fluorescent protein in isolated astrocytes (hGFAPpr‐EGFP). Within the glial lamina the astrocytes were transverse in orientation, with thick, smooth primary processes emanating from a cytoplasmic expansion of the soma. Spaces between the processes of neighboring astrocytes were spatially aligned, to form the apertures through which the bundles of optic axons pass. The processes of individual astrocytes were far‐reaching—they could span most of the width of the nerve—and overlapped the anatomical domains of other near and distant astrocytes. Thus, astrocytes in the glial lamina do not tile: each astrocyte participates in ensheathing approximately one‐quarter of all of the axon bundles in the nerve, and each glial tube contains the processes of about nine astrocytes. This raises the mechanistic question of how, in glaucoma or other cases of nerve damage, the glial response can be confined to a circumscribed region where damage to axons has occurred. J. Comp. Neurol. 516:1–19, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mediation and inequality reconsidered: Bringing the discussion to the table
Authors: Wing Leah 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe growing scholarship on inequality that occurs in mediation raises questions that challenge the underlying assumptions of the field. Reliance on mediator neutrality and the self‐determination of parties masks the realities of how mediation can and does produce and reproduce substantive and procedural inequality. Critical interrogation of both the hegemonic paradigm and its practices permits insight into how this operates and points to the importance of learning from other paradigms and developing new strategies for addressing this dilemma.
The politics of community mediation: A study of community mediation in Israel
Authors: Li‐On Lee 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWhat is community mediation (CM), and how does it affect communities? Drawing on research that examined the politics of CM in the context of a complex, multicultural setting, this article portrays CM as a multifaceted discourse that stakeholders may use to achieve their particular goals. CM, it is suggested, is linked to multiple sources of power and is used by both state and residents to make contesting social claims. This article challenges the apolitical view of CM and its capacity to explain the complex character of power. It proposes considering CM from another perspective, suggesting that examining CM as discourse enables a broader understanding of its social role and significance and facilitates development of appropriate practice. The author suggests that to be socially meaningful CM should be practiced within a broader approach, in terms of social intervention, based on informed, context‐related training and practice. Such an approach requires that the role, policies, and practices of community mediation programs (CMPs), and mediators' roles and training, be reconsidered.
Damping torque analysis for DC bus implemented damping control
Authors: Du W. , Wang H. F. , Ju P. , Dunn R. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractDamping torque analysis is a well‐developed technique for understanding and studying power system oscillations. This paper presents the applications of damping torque analysis for DC bus implemented damping control in power transmission networks in two examples. The first example is the investigation of damping effect of shunt voltage source converter (VSC) based flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS) voltage control, i.e. static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) voltage control. It is shown in the paper that STATCOM voltage control mainly contributes synchronous torque and hence has little effect on the damping of power system oscillations. The second example is the damping control implemented by a battery energy storage system (BESS) installed in a power system. Damping torque analysis reveals that when BESS damping control is realized by regulating exchange of active and reactive power between the BESS and power system, respectively, BESS damping control exhibits different properties. It is concluded by damping torque analysis that BESS damping control implemented by regulating active power is better with less interaction with BESS voltage control and more robust to variations of power system operating conditions. In the paper, all analytical conclusions obtained are demonstrated by simulation results of example power systems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hepatitis B virus as a gene delivery vector activating foreign antigenic T cell response that abrogates viral expression in mouse models #
Authors: Deng Qiang , Mancini-Bourgine Maryline , Zhang Xiaoming , Cumont Marie-Christine , Zhu Ren , Lone Yu-Chun , Michel Marie-Louise 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is characterized by functionally impaired T cell responses. To ensure active immunotherapy, the immune response must be switched from exhausted T cells to functional effectors that can attain the liver and cure the viral infection. We thus designed a recombinant HBV (rHBV) containing a modified viral core gene that specifically delivers a foreign antigenic polyepitope to the liver. This recombinant virus could only be self-maintained in hepatocytes already infected by HBV through capsid complementation. A strong foreign epitope-specific T cell response was first primed in the periphery by way of DNA immunization in human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2/DR1 transgenic mice. After the hydrodynamic (hyd.) injection of rHBV, expression of the foreign antigenic polyepitope in hepatocytes attracted/reactivated a vigorous T cell response in situ. Most liver-infiltrating CD8+ T cells proved to be functional effectors. Following DNA priming and hyd. injection, the rHBV-based expression of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in mouse liver was almost completely inhibited without causing major liver injury. Studies in HBsAg/HLA-A2/DR1 transgenic mice further validated our approach. Conclusion: For the first time, HBV was used as a gene delivery vector, which strongly triggered functional T cell response and subsequently controlled the viral expression in the liver of surrogate mouse models for HBV infection. It might represent an innovative and promising strategy of active immunotherapy during HBV persistent infection. This concept could even be more generally extended to other chronic viral diseases. (Hepatology 2009.)
Nitric oxide suppresses transforming growth factor-β1–induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and apoptosis in mouse hepatocytes #
Authors: Pan Xinchao , Wang Xunde , Lei Weiwei , Min Lihua , Yang Yanan , Wang Xin , Song Jianguo 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is a multifunctional regulator that is implicated in various physiological and pathological processes. Here we report that administration of NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) inhibited transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and apoptosis in mouse hepatocytes. Overexpression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) by transfection of the iNOS-expressing vector, which increased NO production, also inhibited the TGF-β1-induced EMT and apoptosis in these cells. Treatment of cells with proinflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and interferon (IFN)-γ, which increased the endogenous NO production, produced the same inhibitory effect. Furthermore, exogenous NO donor SNAP treatment caused a decrease in the intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels. Consistently, depletion of intracellular ATP by mitochondrial uncoupler carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) inhibited the TGF-β1-induced EMT and apoptosis, suggesting that an NO-induced decrease of ATP involved in the NO-mediated inhibition of TGF-β1-induced EMT and apoptosis. NO and FCCP also inhibited TGF-β1-induced STAT3 activation, suggesting that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 inactivation is involved in the NO-induced effects on TGF-β1-induced EMT and apoptosis. Conclusion: Our study indicates that NO plays an important role in the inhibition of TGF-β1-induced EMT and apoptosis in mouse hepatocytes through the downregulation of intracellular ATP levels. The data provide an insight into the in vivo mechanisms on the function of NO during the processes of both EMT and apoptosis. (Hepatology 2009.)
Effective communication, collaboration, and coordination in eXtreme Programming: Human‐centric perspective in a small organization
Authors: Mishra Deepti , Mishra Alok 
Published: July 2009

AbstractEffective communication, collaboration, and coordination are important contributing factors in achieving success in agile software development projects. The significance of the workplace environment and tools are immense in effective communication, collaboration, and coordination among people performing software development. In this article, we study how the workplace environment and the effective use of tools like whiteboards, status boards, and so forth for exchanging information improved communication, collaboration, and coordination without compromising the ability to do individual work by developers in a small‐scale software development organization. Based on experience and an extensive literature review of communication, collaboration, coordination, and the significance of these in the workplace environment, a survey questionnaire was developed to collect data and observe the effect of these in a small software development organization. Our study indicated appropriate workspace environment has a positive effect on communication, collaboration, and coordination in small organizations developing software using eXtreme Programming (XP). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Small interfering RNA‐mediated CXCR1 or CXCR2 knock‐down inhibits melanoma tumor growth and invasion
Authors: Singh Seema , Sadanandam Anguraj , Varney Michelle L. , Nannuru Kalyan C. , Singh Rakesh K. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractCXCR1 and CXCR2 are receptors for CXCL‐8 and are differentially expressed on melanoma and endothelial cells. In this study, we determined the functional role of these receptors in melanoma progression. We stably knock‐down the expression of CXCR1 and/or CXCR2 in A375‐SM (SM; high metastatic) human melanoma cells by short‐hairpin RNA transfection. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, ERK phosphorlyation and cytoskeletal rearrangements were carried out in vitro. In vivo growth was evaluated using murine subcutaneous xenograft model. Our data demonstrate that knock‐down of CXCR1 and/or CXCR2 expression, inhibited melanoma cell proliferation, survival, migration and invasive potential in vitro. Moreover, we also observed inhibition of ERK phosphorylation and cytoskeltal rearrangement in SM‐shCXCR1, SM‐shCXCR2 and SM‐shCXCR1/2 cells. Furthermore, when SM‐shCXCR1 or SM‐shCXCR2 cells implanted in nude mice, tumor growth, proliferation and microvessel density was significantly inhibited as compared to SM‐control cells. In addition, we observed a significant increase in melanoma cell apoptosis in SM‐shCXCR1 and SM‐shCXCR2 tumors compared to SM‐control tumors. Together, these data demonstrate that CXCR1 and CXCR2 expression play a critical role in human melanoma tumor progression and, functional blockade of CXCR1 and CXCR2 could be potentially used for future therapeutic intervention in malignant melanoma.
GalNAcα1‐3Gal, a new prognostic marker for cervical cancer
Authors: Li Qian , Anver Miriam R. , Li Zhitao , Butcher Donna O. , Gildersleeve Jeffrey C. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractCancer cells undergo significant changes in carbohydrate expression, and these alterations can be useful as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In this study, we investigated the expression of carbohydrate antigens containing a terminal GalNAcα1‐3Gal or GalNAcα1‐6Gal on human cervix and cervical carcinoma. Monoclonal antibodies to each of these carbohydrates were generated by immunizing rabbits with the corresponding antigen conjugated to KLH followed by hybridoma production. Antibodies were screened and evaluated using a combination of carbohydrate microarray profiling, ELISA, dot blot and immunohistochemical staining to verify specificity. Antibody 132‐3 was found to selectively recognize GalNAcα1‐3Gal with little cross‐reactivity to other structurally similar antigens such as GalNAcα1‐6Gal, blood group A, Forssman antigen and the Tn antigen on both solution assays and human tissue. Although GalNAcα1‐6Gal expression was not detected, GalNAcα1‐3Gal expression was found on 55% of squamous cell carcinomas. Expression in normal tissue was observed but was restricted to the suprabasal epithelial layer. Importantly, we found expression of the antigen on cervical cancer had a statistically significant correlation with the 5‐year survival rate of the patients (48 vs. 85% for antigen negative vs. positive, p = 0.017). Expression of GalNAcα1‐3Gal did not correlate with other clinical factors including tumor stage, size and lymph node metastasis, indicating the antigen is a new, independent biomarker for the prognosis of cervical cancer. Published 2009 UICC.
Use of an expanded gold standard to estimate the accuracy of colposcopy and visual inspection with acetic acid
Authors: Cagle A.J. , Hu S.Y. , Sellors J.W. , Bao Y.P. , Lim J.M. , Li S.M. , Lewis K. , Song Y. , Ma J.F. , Pan Q.J. , Zhang W.H. , Zhao F.H. , Qiao Y.L. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWe estimate the accuracy of colposcopy and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) while minimizing the effects of misclassification bias, and maximizing ascertainment of disease. VIA was performed by experienced physicians on a population‐based sample of women aged 30 to 49 years in rural Shanxi province, China. Each woman received VIA, liquid‐based cytology (LBC) and hybrid capture 2 (hc2, QIAGEN, Gaithersburg, MD; formerly Digene Corporation). Any woman who tested positive on any test had colposcopy, endocervical curettage (ECC) with directed biopsies as necessary and 4‐quadrant random biopsies from normal‐appearing areas of the cervix. A standard diagnosis based on colposcopy and directed biopsy, and an expanded diagnosis including ECC and 4‐quadrant random biopsy were generated for each woman. In 1,839 women, use of the expanded versus the standard diagnostic criteria increased the prevalence of histologically confirmed high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cancer (CIN2+) from 3.2% (59/1,839) to 4.2% (77/1,839) and decreased the sensitivity of VIA for CIN2+ from 69.5% (95% CI: 56.8–79.8) to 58.4% (95% CI: 47.3–68.8%) with little change in specificity of approximately 89%. Compared with the expanded diagnostic criterion, the sensitivity of a visual diagnosis of high‐grade CIN or cancer by a colposcopist was 49.4% (95% CI: 38.2–60.5). The use of an expanded diagnostic criterion in this study yielded more conservative estimates of the sensitivity of VIA and colposcopy.
Use of Xanthinol Nicotinate as a co‐treatment for radio‐ and chemo‐therapy in experimental tumors
Authors: Segers Jérome , Crokart Nathalie , Danhier Pierre , Grégoire Vincent , Jordan Bénédicte F. , Gallez Bernard 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe tumor micro‐environment plays a key role in the tumor resistance to cytotoxic treatments. It has been demonstrated that it is possible to modulate the tumor microenvironment to potentiate anti‐cancer therapy. Here, we made the hypothesis that the vasoactive agent xanthinol nicotinate (XN) could be an important modulator of the tumor perfusion and oxygenation. Using functional non invasive techniques (in vivo EPR oximetry and dynamic contrast enhanced MRI), we were able to define a time window in which tumor oxygenation, flow and permeability were significantly increased in the TLT tumor model implanted in muscles of mice. As a consequence of the alleviation of tumor hypoxia, we found out that XN was able to radiosensitize the tumors when applying 10 Gy of X‐Rays during the reoxygenation of the tumors (enhancement in radiation response of 1.4). Moreover, the administration of cyclosphosphamide (50 mg/kg) used as a chemotherapeutic agent was more efficient when applying the treatment after XN administration (enhancement in response to chemotherapy of 2.7). These results show the importance of the dynamic evolution of the tumor microenvironment on the response to treatments, and that XN is an efficient modulator of the tumor hemodynamics that may potentiate cytotoxic treatments.