bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimization and Characterization of Tl(I) Adsorption onto Modified Ulmus carpinifolia Tree Leaves
Authors: Zolgharnein Javad , Asanjarani Neda , Mousavi S. Norollah 
Published: January 2011

AbstractUlmus carpinifolia tree leaves were successfully used to remove Tl(I) from aqueous solution in a batch system. In order to improve the uptake capacity of sorbent, it was modified by various chemical agents such as NaOH, HNO3, NH3, NaCl, NaHCO3, and CaCl2. Among the modifiers, NaCl was the best. Equilibrium behavior of sorbent with Tl(I) was examined by the several isotherms. Considering modified U. carpinifolia equilibrium data fitted well to the Langmuir model with maximum capacity of 54.6 mg/g. The other isotherms such as: Freundlich and Dubinin‐Redushkevich (D‐R) models were also examined. The central composite design (CCD) was successfully employed for optimization of biosorption process. An empirical model was given through using response surface methodology. Also its validation was recognized by using relevant statistical tests such as ANOVA. The optimum conditions of biosorption: pH, m (amount of sorbent) and C (initial concentration) were found to be 7.9, 11.4 g/L, and 8.8 mg/L, respectively. On the other hand thermodynamic parameters: ΔG, ΔH, and ΔS were evaluated: the obtained results show that biosorption process was spontaneous and exothermic. Eventually, FT‐IR analysis confirmed that the main functional groups of sorbent have been involved through the biosorption process.
OX40 engagement stabilizes Mxd4 and Mnt protein levels in antigen‐stimulated T cells leading to an increase in cell survival
Authors: Vasilevsky Nicole A. , Ruby Carl E. , Hurlin Peter J. , Weinberg Andrew D. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractOX40 engagement on activated T cells leads to increased proliferation, expansion and survival of Ag‐specific T cells. Direct ex vivo examination of Ag‐stimulated murine T cells show that the Myc antagonists, Mxd4 and Mnt, are transiently upregulated and translocated to the nucleus following OX40 engagement and may be involved in suppressing cell death. Both Mxd4 and Mnt are upregulated following OX40 stimulation through increased protein stability and we identify a critical phosphorylation site in Mxd4 that controls Mxd4 stability. The upregulation of Mxd4 and Mnt contributes to OX40‐mediated T‐cell survival because siRNA knockdown of Mxd4 and Mnt led to increased cell death. We hypothesize the upregulation of c‐Myc following OX40 engagement drives T‐cell proliferation and that upregulation of Mxd4 and Mnt suppresses Myc‐dependent cell death. Thus, Mxd4 and Mnt upregulation following OX40 engagement most likely increases T‐cell survival.
Vstm3 is a member of the CD28 family and an important modulator of T‐cell function
Authors: Levin Steven D. , Taft David W. , Brandt Cameron S. , Bucher Christoph , Howard Edward D. , Chadwick Eric M. , Johnston Janet , Hammond Angela , Bontadelli Kristen , Ardourel Daniel , Hebb LuAnn , Wolf Anitra , Bukowski Thomas R. , Rixon Mark W. , Kuijper Joseph L. , Ostrander Craig D. , West James W. , Bilsborough Janine , Fox Brian , Gao Zeren , Xu Wenfeng , Ramsdell Fred , Blazar Bruce R. , Lewis Katherine E. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractMembers of the CD28 family play important roles in regulating T‐cell functions and share a common gene structure profile. We have identified VSTM3 as a protein whose gene structure matches that of the other CD28 family members. This protein (also known as TIGIT and WUCAM) has been previously shown to affect immune responses and is expressed on NK cells, activated and memory T cells, and Tregs. The nectin‐family proteins CD155 and CD112 serve as counter‐structures for VSTM3, and CD155 and CD112 also bind to the activating receptor CD226 on T cells and NK cells. Hence, this group of interacting proteins forms a network of molecules similar to the well‐characterized CD28–CTLA‐4–CD80–CD86 network. In the same way that soluble CTLA‐4 can be used to block T‐cell responses, we show that soluble Vstm3 attenuates T‐cell responses in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, animals deficient in Vstm3 are more sensitive to autoimmune challenges indicating that this new member of the CD28 family is an important regulator of T‐cell responses.
High Performance Polyimide with High Internal Free Volume Elements
Authors: Cho Yoon Jin , Park Ho Bum 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThis paper reports a new polyimide design with high internal free volume elements for fast mass transport simultaneously with high selectivity. Here, we show that the polymer design using a three‐dimensional rigid molecular structure having internal void space can lead to the formation of high fractional free volume with proper cavity size to separate small gas molecules with high selectivities as high permeabilities. These findings could strongly impact emerging gas separation applications using polymeric membranes such as natural gas purification and biogas purification to get clean energy resources. magnified image
A Supramolecular Approach on Using Poly(fluorenylstyrene)‐block‐poly(2‐vinylpyridine):PCBM Composite Thin Films for Non‐Volatile Memory Device Applications
Authors: Hsu Jung‐Ching , Liu Cheng‐Liang , Chen Wen‐Chang , Sugiyama Kenji , Hirao Akira 
Published: January 2011

AbstractSupramolecular composite thin films of poly[4‐(9,9‐dihexylfloren‐2‐yl)styrene]‐block ‐poly(2‐vinylpyridine) (P(St‐Fl)‐b‐P2VP):[6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) were prepared for write‐once‐read‐many times (WORM) non‐volatile memory devices. The optical absorption and photoluminescence results indicated the formation of charge transfer complexation between the P2VP block and PCBM, which led to the varied PCBM aggregated size and memory characteristics. The ITO/PCBM:(P(St‐Fl)‐b‐P2VP)/Al device exhibited the WORM characteristic with low threshold voltage (−1.6 to −3.2 V) and high ON/OFF ratio (103 to 105) by tuning the PCBM content. The switching behavior could be explained by the charge injection dominated thermionic emission in the OFF state and field‐induced charge transfer in the ON state. The present study provides a novel approach system for tuning polymer memory device characteristics through the supramolecular materials approach. magnified image
Microphase Separation of a Diblock Copolymer Dispersed in Nanorod Arrays Grafted on a Plate: A Monte Carlo Study
Authors: Xiao Xingqing , Huang Yongmin , Feng Jian , Liu Honglai , Hu Ying 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe microstructure of a diblock copolymer dispersed in nanorod arrays grafted on a plate are investigated via annealing MC simulation. The confinement in nanorod arrays provides a complex confined space which leads to complicated microphase separation structures. Different morphologies of top and bottom of the film in the nanorod arrays are observed by varying the inducing height of nanorod and its grafting density in the bottom. Due to a short inducing range by the nanorods, the top structures are therefore mainly dominated by the competition between the absolute height of off‐induced layer on the top and the nature of block copolymer itself; while the bottom structures are affected by the symmetry of block copolymer and the gap among rods. magnified image
Polyomavirus enhancer activator 3 protein promotes breast cancer metastatic progression through Snail‐induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors: Yuen Hiu‐Fung , Chan Yuen‐Kwong , Grills Claire , McCrudden Cian M , Gunasekharan Vignesh , Shi Zhanzhong , Wong Ashley San‐Yu , Lappin Terence R , Chan Kwok‐Wah , Fennell Dean A , Khoo Ui‐Soon , Johnston Patrick G , El‐Tanani Mohamed 
Published: January 2011

AbstractPolyomavirus enhancer activator 3 protein (Pea3), also known as ETV4, is a member of the Ets‐transcription factor family, which promotes metastatic progression in various types of solid cancer. Pea3‐driven epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been described in lung and ovarian cancers. The mechanisms of Pea3‐induced EMT, however, are largely unknown. Here we show that Pea3 overexpression promotes EMT in human breast epithelial cells through transactivation of Snail (SNAI1), an activator of EMT. Pea3 binds to the human Snail promoter through the two proximal Pea3 binding sites and enhances Snail expression. In addition, knockdown of Pea3 in invasive breast cancer cells results in down‐regulation of Snail, partial reversal of EMT, and reduced invasiveness in vitro. Moreover, knockdown of Snail partially rescues the phenotype induced by Pea3 overexpression, suggesting that Snail is one of the mediators bridging Pea3 and EMT, and thereby metastatic progression of the cancer cells. In four breast cancer patient cohorts whose microarray and survival data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, Pea3 and Snail expression are significantly correlated with each other and with overall survival of breast cancer patients. We further demonstrate that nuclear localization of Pea3 is associated with Snail expression in breast cancer cell lines and is an independent predictor of overall survival in a Chinese breast cancer patient cohort. In conclusion, our results suggest that Pea3 may be an important prognostic marker and a therapeutic target for metastatic progression of human breast cancer. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of lead source and cerium (III) doping on structural and photoluminescence properties of PbWO4 microcrystallites synthesized by hydrothermal method
Authors: Tawde D. , Srinivas M. , Murthy K. V. R. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractMicrocrystalline undoped as well as cerium‐doped lead tungstate (PbWO4) powder with different phase and shape, were successfully synthesized via a low‐temperature hydrothermal method using different lead sources (lead acetate and lead nitrate) and Na2WO4 as metallic cations and distilled water as solvent. The effect of lead sources and Ce3+ doping on crystallite size and shape were investigated with XRD, SEM and TEM. The average crystallite size was found between 28 and 82 nm using the Scherrer formula. Incorporation of Ce3+ into undoped PbWO4 reduces the average crystallite size. The raspite phase of PbWO4 generates nanobelts‐like structure. Photoluminescence spectra show broad blue–green emission in the 450–550 nm range and the luminescence intensity decreases with cerium doping compared to undoped PbWO4 due to the nonradiative 5d–4f transition of the excited Ce3+.magnified image
Spontaneous polarization field in polar and nonpolar GaInN/GaN quantum well structures
Authors: Thomsen M. , Jönen H. , Rossow U. , Hangleiter A. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractWe present a UHV cathodoluminescence study of the spontaneous polarization field in polar [0001] and nonpolar $[1{\bar {1}}00]$ GaN/GaInN single quantum well structures. Employing electron‐stimulated desorption a descreening of the spontaneous field in the polar c‐plane samples was observed, which counteracts the piezoelectric field in the quantum well. While in c‐plane samples a strong blueshift of the emission energy takes place and a drastic increase of emission intensity occurs, no change of the QW emission energy and intensity from m‐plane samples was detected. The different behaviour under the same experimental conditions can only be explained with the absence of the spontaneous polarization field in the nonpolar $[1{\bar {1}}00]$ m‐direction.
Effect of surface stresses on elastic behavior of a screw dislocation inside the wall of a nanotube
Authors: Shodja Hossein M. , Gutkin Mikhail Yu. , Moeini‐Ardakani Seyed S. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBehavior of a screw dislocation inside a nanotube (NT) is considered in the context of surface elasticity. The elastic fields as well as the image force acting over the dislocation are derived and analyzed in detail. In contrast with the result of classical elasticity, the screw dislocation is shown to be repelled by free surfaces and occupy two stable equilibrium positions near them. The image force strongly depends on the NT's inner and outer radii as well as surface elastic characteristics.
Direct observation of elemental segregation in InGaN nanowires by X‐ray nanoprobe
Authors: Segura‐Ruiz J. , Martinez‐Criado G. , Sans J. A. , Tucoulou R. , Cloetens P. , Snigireva I. , Denker C. , Malindretos J. , Rizzi A. , Gomez‐Gomez M. , Garro N. , Cantarero A. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractUsing synchrotron radiation nanoprobe, this work reports on the elemental distribution in single Inx Ga1–xN nanowires (NWs) grown by molecular beam epitaxy directly on Si(111) substrates. Single NWs dispersed on Al covered sapphire were characterized by nano‐X‐ray fluorescence, Raman scattering and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Both Ga and In maps reveal an inhomogeneous axial distribution inside sin‐ gle NWs. The analysis of NWs from the same sample but with different dimensions suggests a decrease of In segregation with the reduction of NW diameter, while Ga distribution seems to remain unaltered. Photoluminescence and Raman scattering measurements carried out on ensembles of NWs exhibit relevant signatures of the compositional disorder. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Synthesis of W17O47 nanothick plates with preferred orientation and their photocatalytic activity
Authors: Azimirad R. , Khosravi P. , Moshfegh A. Z. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractA simple method for synthesis of W17O47 nanothick plates by annealing sol‐gel‐deposited tungsten oxide thin films on soda lime substrate has been reported. After heat treatment of the dried thin films at 700 °C in N2 ambient for 60 min, W17O47 nanothick plates with [100] orientation were obtained. The synthesized product was characterized and analyzed by, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, XPS and ultraviolet‐visible spectrophotometery. According to SEM observations, nanothick plates grew with random orientations on the surface. In addition, it was observed that some of the nanothick plates were constituted from several nanosheets. XRD analysis determined that the nanothick plates were mainly composed of monoclinic W17O47 phase with strong (500) diffraction peak and about 50 nm average crystalline size. Basing on XPS analysis, the surface composition of the nanothick plates was determined WO2.78. It was found that the 60 min annealed sample has the maximum number of nanothick plates per unit area over the surface as compared to the samples annealed for 15, 45 and 80 min. In addition, the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue over this sample exhibited the highest photoactivity rate. A mechanism for photocatalytic activity of the W17O47 nanothick plates was also proposed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extraction of amino acids from soils close to the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), Utah
Authors: Martins Z. , Sephton M.A. , Foing B.H. , Ehrenfreund P. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractFuture space missions that aim to detect life should search for molecules that are vital to all living organisms. Although the Viking landers did not find any signs of organic molecules on Mars, signatures of past and/or present life may still exist in the Martian regolith. In this paper, we describe amino acid analyses performed in several Martian analogue soil samples collected close to the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), Utah, during the International Lunar Exploration Working Group (ILEWG) EuroGeoMars campaign in February 2009. The Utah desert around Hanksville is characterized as shale desert and is cold and arid with an average annual temperature of 12°C. It is subjected to wind erosion and was shaped by fluvial erosion. The data show large differences in the total amino acid abundances between all the collected soil samples, with values ranging from non-detectable to 100 000 parts per billion (ppb). These results are explained in the context of mineralogical differences (namely different clay content) among the soil samples. The data have implications for future life-detection missions and the target mineralogy that may host biological signatures.
Identification of serine/threonine kinase and nucleotide‐binding site–leucine‐rich repeat (NBS‐LRR) genes in the fire blight resistance quantitative trait locus of apple cultivar ‘Evereste’
Authors: PARRAVICINI GABRIELLA , GESSLER CESARE , DENANCÉ CAROLINE , LASSERRE‐ZUBER PAULINE , VERGNE EMILIE , BRISSET MARIE‐NOËLLE , PATOCCHI ANDREA , DUREL CHARLES‐ERIC , BROGGINI GIOVANNI A. L. 
Published: January 2011

SUMMARYFire blight is the most destructive bacterial disease affecting apple (Malus×domestica) worldwide. So far, no resistance gene against fire blight has been characterized in apple, despite several resistance regions having been identified. A highly efficacious resistance quantitative trait locus (QTL) was localized on linkage group 12 (LG12) of the ornamental cultivar ‘Evereste’. A marker previously reported to be closely linked to this resistance was used to perform a chromosome landing. A bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone of 189 kb carrying the fire blight resistance QTL was isolated and sequenced. New microsatellite markers were developed, and the genomic region containing the resistance locus was limited to 78 kb. A cluster of eight genes with homologies to already known resistance gene structures to bacterial diseases was identified and the corresponding gene transcription was verified. From this cluster, two genes were recognized in silico as the two most probable fire blight resistance genes showing homology with the Pto/Prf complex in tomato.
Flux of nitric oxide between the necrotrophic pathogen Botrytis cinerea and the host plant
Authors: TURRION‐GOMEZ JUAN L. , BENITO ERNESTO P. 
Published: January 2011

SUMMARYNitric oxide (NO) production by Botrytis cinerea and the effect of externally supplied NO were studied during saprophytic growth and plant infection. Fluorescence analysis with 4,5‐diaminofluorescein diacetate and electrochemical studies were conducted in vitro between 4 and 20 h of incubation and in planta between 15 and 75 h post‐inoculation. The production of NO by B. cinerea in vitro was detected inside the germinating spores and mycelium and in the surrounding medium. In planta production of NO showed a large variation that was dependent on the host plant and developmental stage of the infection. The induced production of NO was detected from 16 h of in vitro incubation in response to externally added NO. The production of NO by B. cinerea is probably modulated to promote fungal colonization of the plant tissue. The production of NO which diffuses outside the fungal cells and the induction of NO production by exogenous NO open up the possibility of NO cross‐talk between the fungus and the plant. Finally, the existence of an NO concentration threshold is proposed, which may increase or reduce the plant defence against necrotrophic fungal pathogens.
Population structure in Indian sheep ascertained using microsatellite information
Authors: Arora R. , Bhatia S. , Mishra B. P. , Joshi B. K. 
Published: January 2011

SummaryThis study attempts to provide a comprehensive insight into the prevailing genetic status of Indian sheep breeds using microsatellite markers. Seventeen Indian sheep breeds from 3 agroecological zones were analysed using a panel of 25 microsatellite markers. All of the sheep breeds investigated were genetically diverse, as evident from the high allele (>6) and gene (>0.6) diversity values. The gene diversity values for all breeds ranged from 0.621 to 0.780. The within‐population heterozygote deficit (FIS) varied from −0.098 to 0.234, reflecting significant levels for 12 of the 17 breeds investigated. The average genetic differentiation between all breeds (FST) was 11.1%, revealing moderate discrimination between the indigenous sheep breeds. The genetic distance and principal component analysis revealed a separation of sheep breeds based on geographical propinquity. The Bayesian clustering approach suggested poor breed differentiation in the north‐western arid and semi‐arid region when compared to the breeds from the eastern and southern peninsular regions. The observed results mirror the divergent management strategies in the different agroecological regions, lack of specific selection policies, and intermixing of breeds in close proximity. Immediate steps to curb the intermixing and erosion of breed purity for some of these breeds need to be implemented, for example, by introducing measures like making proven rams available and ensuring their frequent exchange between flocks. The data generated here provides valuable information about the genetic structure of the 17 Indian sheep breeds and this can be used for designating priorities for their conservation.
Comparison of community residential supports on measures of information & planning; access to & delivery of supports; choice & control; community connections; satisfaction; and, overall perception of outcomes
Authors: Stainton T. , Brown J. , Crawford C. , Hole R. , Charles G. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBackground  This paper reports on some of the findings of a large‐scale survey (n = 852) of family members and support staff of adults with intellectual disabilities receiving community living services in British Columbia, Canada, concentrating on comparison of outcomes across four types of community residential settings: group homes, family model homes, independent home or apartment, and family home.Method  Comparisons were conducted on six domains: information and planning; access to and delivery of supports; choice and control; community connections; satisfaction; and, overall perception of outcomes. Where applicable, further multivariate analyses were undertaken to determine the effect of the degree of help required by the residents and the respondent type.Results  Findings indicate that on all measures other than choice and control, group homes and family model homes showed better outcomes than either independent settings or family homes.Conclusion  The findings may indicate that the move to more independent living settings is not being accompanied by appropriate supports.
Expression of a Brassica napus heme oxygenase confers plant tolerance to mercury toxicity
Authors: SHEN QI , JIANG MING , LI HUA , CHE LI LING , YANG ZHI MIN 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACTPlant heme oxygenases (HOs) regulate biosynthesis of phytochrome which accounts for photo‐acceptance and ‐morphogenesis. Recent studies have demonstrated that plant HOs also regulate many other physiological processes including response to environmental stimuli. To elucidate the mechanism by which HOs regulate plant adaptation to heavy metal exposure, three novel HOs genes were isolated from rapeseed (Brassica napus) and their expression patterns were analysed. Alignment of deduced protein sequences revealed that the three BnHOs share high identity with their corresponding orthologos (AtHO1‐3) from Arabidopsis. To investigate whether the BnHO regulates plant tolerance to Hg toxicity, we constructed B. napus transgenic plants overexpressing BnHO‐1. Under Hg stress, the transgenic plants had 1.41–1.59 folds higher biomass than the untransformants. However, overexpression of BnHO‐1 resulted in less accumulation of Hg in some lines of transformants than in untransformants. The transgenic plants show lower abundance of reactive oxygen species and attenuated oxidative injury compared with the untransgenic plants. We cloned the promoter sequences of BnHO‐1 from B. napus. Analysis revealed that the 1119 bp fragment contains a conserved Cd responsive element (CdRE) and others responding to multiple environmental stimuli. Transient expression in tobacco leaves showed differential responses to heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, Hg and Cd).