bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kinetics of the ring‐opening polymerization of D,L‐lactide using zinc (II) octoate as catalyst
Authors: Mazarro Rosario , Gracia Ignacio , Rodríguez Juan F. , Storti Giuseppe , Morbidelli Massimo 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe kinetics of ring‐opening polymerization of D,L‐lactide with 2‐ethylhexanoic acid zinc (II) salt as catalyst and methanol as co‐catalyst at different temperatures is investigated. A previously proposed kinetic model accounting for reactions such as activation, propagation, chain transfer, transesterification and thermal non‐radical random chain scission has been applied to simulate the experimental results of conversion and average molecular weights. The relevance of some side reactions, mainly transesterifications and chain scission, has been verified all over the studied temperature range and the corresponding rate constants have been estimated. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Tuning the shape and damage in ion‐beam induced ripples on silicon
Authors: Biermanns Andreas , Hanisch Antje , Grenzer Jörg , Metzger Till Hartmut , Pietsch Ullrich 
Published: October 2011

AbstractWe investigate the influence of ion beam parameters on the ripple formation on Si(001) surfaces after bombardment with Xe+ ions of 25 keV kinetic energy using a scanning ion beam system. By combining grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction, small angle scattering and X‐ray reflectivity, we show that during ion irradiation with 70° off‐normal angle of incidence, changing the size of the irradiated area leads to an increased number of defects at the interface towards crystalline material. At 65° angle of incidence, the ripple amplitude grows.
Competition between ordering, twinning, and segregation in binary magnetic 3d‐5d nanoparticles: A supercomputing perspective
Authors: Gruner Markus E. , Entel Peter 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe benefit of massively parallel supercomputers for technologically relevant applications in the field of materials science is demonstrated at the example of first‐principles total energy calculations of magnetic binary transition metal nanoparticles containing up to 1415 3d and 5d transition metal atoms. The simulations, which take into account structural optimizations without symmetry constraints, reveal the size‐dependent evolution of the energetic order of single crystalline and multiply twinned Fe‐Pt nanoparticles up to 4 nm in diameter, which are discussed as promising building blocks for future ultra‐high density data recording media. Although at small diameters, multiply twinned morphologies are preferred, we can show that an energetic crossover to a single crystalline, ordered arrangement can be expected at diameters around four nanometers. The comparison with Co‐Pt indicates that the contributions of the interfaces in multiply twinned structures are of similar importance as the surface and cannot be neglected especially for small particle sizes. The results imply that for Co‐Pt particles segregation of Pt to the surface and the formation of a Pt‐depleted subsurface layer is also dominant for nanometer‐sized single crystalline particles and may help to stabilize particles with partial L10 order, whereas for Fe‐Pt multiple twinning is the most important equilibrium mechanism for small particle sizes. Hybrid combinations of the most favorable ordering motifs, that is, L10‐type ordering in the particle core in combination with segregation in the outer shells, may thus lead to highly stable morphologies, which could dominate the growth process. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012
Leader–follower type relative position keeping in satellite formation flying via robust exponential stabilization
Authors: Ahn Hyo‐Sung 
Published: October 2011

SUMMARYSatellite formation flying is an essential technology in both the current and the future aerospace industry. Conducting a fast and safe flying formation between satellites is always a key requirement for successful mission accomplishment. This paper addresses a leader–follower type relative position keeping in satellite formation flying via a novel robust exponential stabilization. This paper establishes an exponentially convergent relative position keeping taking account of various external disturbances that cannot be modeled into current formation dynamics, along with a set of time‐varying model parameters and measurement noises. The condition for an exponential convergence is established by decomposing the positive definite matrix used in Lyapunov function candidate into several element‐wise submatrices. Through numerical simulations, the effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Programmable Chemical Gradient Patterns by Soft Grayscale Lithography
Authors: Bowen Audrey M. , Ritchey Joshua A. , Moore Jeffrey S. , Nuzzo Ralph G. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractA method for fabricating chemical gradients on planar and nonplanar substrates using grayscale lithography is reported. Compliant grayscale amplitude masks are fabricated using a vacuum‐assisted microfluidic filling protocol that employs dilutions of a carbon‐black‐containing polydimethylsiloxane emulsion (bPDMS) within traditional clear PDMS (cPDMS) to create planar, fully self‐supporting mask elements. The mask is then placed over a surface functionalized with a hydrophobic coumarin‐based photocleavable monolayer, which exposes a polar group upon irradiation. The mask serves to modulate the intensity of incident UV light, thereby controlling the density of molecules cleaved. The resulting molecular‐level grayscale patterns are characterized by condensation microscopy and imaging mode time‐of‐flight secondary‐ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS). Due to the inherent flexibility of this technique, the photofuse as well as the gradient patterns can be designed for a wide range of applications; in this paper two proof‐of‐concept demonstrations are shown. The first utilizes the ability to control the resulting contact angle of the surface for the fabrication of a passive pressure‐sensitive microfluidic gating system. The second is a model surface modification process that utilizes the functional groups deprotected during the photocleavage to pattern the deposition of moieties with complementary chemistry. The spatial layout, resolution, and concentration of these covalently linked molecules follow the gradient pattern created by the grayscale mask during exposure. The programmable chemical gradient fabrication scheme presented in this work allows explicit engineering of both surface properties that dictate nonspecific interactions (surface energy, charge, etc.) and functional chemistry necessary for covalent bonding.
The effect of chemically‐modified resistant starch, RS type‐4, on body weight and blood lipid profiles of high fat diet‐induced obese mice
Authors: Lee Kwang Yeon , Yoo Sang‐Ho , Lee Hyeon Gyu 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThis study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding chemically‐modified resistant starch type‐4 (RS4) of normal (NCS) and high‐amylose corn starch (HACS) on weight gain and plasma and liver lipid profiles of mice fed a high‐fat diet (HFD). The experimental four groups were, respectively, fed following diets: A 40% HFD with NCS, HACS, NCS‐ and HACS‐RS4. A normal diet (ND) group of mice fed the standard diet was also used as control. In order to produce RS4 by chemical modification, corn starches were treated with STMP/STPP. Total RS (TRS) and total dietary fiber (TDF) levels of chemically‐modified NCS were 26.4 and 44.0%, respectively, while TRS and TDF levels in chemically‐modified HACS were 78.1 and 78.5%, respectively. Onset gelatinization temperatures of both modified corn starches clearly shifted to higher temperatures after STMP/STPP treatment. At the end of the diet trial, the mice on the HACS diet decreased body weight gain compared to the NCS‐fed mice. Adding NCS‐ and HACS‐RS4 to the diet significantly reduced the weight gain relative to NCS and HACS groups. Both RS4 diets were effective in improving the lipid profile compared to their respective controls. They significantly reduced the level of total lipid and total cholesterol.
Hearing in adults with Pompe disease
Authors: van der Beek Nadine A. M. E. , Verschuure Hans , Reuser Arnold J. J. , van der Ploeg Ans T. , van Doorn Pieter A. , Poublon René M. L. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractHearing loss has been recognized as an important cause of morbidity in infants with Pompe disease, a metabolic disorder caused by deficiency of acid α‐glucosidase. It is unknown whether hearing is also affected in adult Pompe patients. We have studied the prevalence, severity, and type of hearing loss in 58 adult patients using tympanometry and pure‐tone audiometry. Compared to normative data (International Organisation for Standardisation standard 7029), 72% of patients had impaired hearing thresholds at one or more frequencies in at least one ear. All measured frequencies were equally affected. All patients had a sensorineural type of hearing loss, pointing to cochlear or retrocochlear pathology. Categorised according to the standards of the World Health Organisation 21% of patients had a clinically relevant hearing loss (16% slight, 3% moderate, 2% profound). Though this suggests that hearing loss occurs in a considerable number of patients with Pompe disease, this prevalence is similar to that in the general population. Therefore, we conclude that hearing loss is not a specific feature of Pompe disease in adults.
EARLY BREAKDOWN OF ISOLATION REVEALED BY MARRIAGE BEHAVIOUR IN A LADIN-SPEAKING COMMUNITY (GARDENA VALLEY, SOUTH TYROL, ITALY, 1825–1924)
Authors: GUERESI PAOLA 
Published: October 2011

SummaryThe aim of this study was to investigate marriage behaviour from 1825 to 1924 in an Alpine valley inhabited by Ladin speakers (Gardena Valley, South Tyrol, Italy), where the particular geographic, linguistic and economic characteristics may have influenced the level of reproductive isolation. A total of 2183 marriage acts from the two main parishes of Santa Cristina and Ortisei were examined. Birth and residence endogamy, inbreeding coefficients from dispensations and from isonymy, birth place distribution of the spouses and isonymic relationships were analysed in four 25-year sub-periods. All the indicators considered point to a lower level of reproductive isolation at Ortisei, a main centre for the woodcarving industry, which appeared to be experiencing an early and effective breakdown of isolation. Marriage behaviour in the Gardena Valley between 1825 and 1924 seems to have been mostly influenced by socioeconomic factors rather than linguistic and cultural ones.
Clone-specific immune reactions in a trematode-crustacean system
Authors: KOEHLER ANSON V. , POULIN ROBERT 
Published: October 2011

SUMMARYVariability of immune responses is an essential aspect of ecological immunology, yet how much of this variability is due to differences among parasite genotypes remains unknown. Here, variation in immune response of the crab,Macrophthalmus hirtipes, is examined as a function of experimental exposure to 10 clonal cercarial lineages of the trematodeMaritrema novaezealandensis. Our goals were (1) to assess the variability of the host immune reaction elicited by 10 parasite clones, (2) to test if the heterozygosity–fitness correlation, whereby organisms with higher heterozygosities achieve a higher fitness than those with lower heterozygosities, applies to heterozygous parasites eliciting weak immune responses, and (3) to see how concomitant infections by other macroparasites influence the crab's immune response to cercariae. Parasite clones were distinguished and heterozygosities calculated using 20 microsatellite markers. We found that exposure to cercariae resulted in increased haemocyte counts, and that although interclonal differences in immune response elicited were detected, parasite heterozygosity did not correlate with host immune response. Additionally, the presence of other pre-existing parasites in hosts did not influence their immune response following experimental exposure to cercariae. Overall, the existence of variability in immune response elicited by different parasite clones is promising for future ecological immunology studies using this system.
Why rational norms are indispensable
Authors: Hahn Ulrike 
Published: October 2011

AbstractNormative theories provide essential tools for understanding behaviour, not just for reasoning, judgement, and decision-making, but many other areas of cognition as well; and their utility extends to the development of process theories. Furthermore, the way these tools are used has nothing to do with the is-ought fallacy. There therefore seems no basis for the claim that research would be better off without them.
Towards a descriptivist psychology of reasoning and decision making
Authors: Evans Jonathan St. B. T. , Elqayam Shira 
Published: October 2011

AbstractOur target article identifiednormativismas the view that rationality should be evaluated against unconditional normative standards. We believe this to be entrenched in the psychological study of reasoning and decision making and argued that it is damaging to this empirical area of study, calling instead for a descriptivist psychology of reasoning and decision making. The views of 29 commentators (from philosophy and cognitive science as well as psychology) were mixed, including some staunch defences of normativism, but also a number that were broadly supportive of our position, although critical of various details. In particular, many defended a position that we call “soft normativism,” which sees a role for normative evaluation within boundaries alongside more descriptive research goals. In this response, we clarify our use of the term “instrumental rationality” and add discussion of “epistemic rationality,” defining both as descriptive and non-normative concepts. We consider the debate with reference to dual-process theory, the “new paradigm” psychology of reasoning, and empirical research strategy in these fields. We also discuss cognitive variation by age, intelligence, and culture, and the issue of relative versus absolute definitions of norms. In conclusion, we hope at least to have raised consciousness about the important boundaries between norm and description in the psychology of thinking.
Towards a semi-local study of parabolic invariant curves for fibered holomorphic maps
Authors: PONCE MARIO 
Published: October 2011

AbstractWe introduce the study of the local dynamics around a parabolic indifferent invariant curve for fibered holomorphic maps. As in the classical non-fibered case, we show that petals are the main ingredient. Nevertheless, one expects that the properties of the base rotation number should play an important role in the arrangement of the petals. We exhibit examples where the existence and the number of petals depend not just on the complex coordinate of the map, but on the base rotation number. Furthermore, under additional hypotheses on the arithmetic and smoothness of the map, we present a theorem that allows a characterization of the local dynamics around a parabolic invariant curve.
In-silico analysis and identification of novel lead molecule for human IGFBP-4 involved in cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Roopesh Kavali , Munikumar Manne , Umamaheswari Amineni 
Published: October 2011

AbstractCardiovascular disease is the major cause of disability and premature death throughout the world and contributes substantially to the escalating costs of health care. Insulin like growth factor binding protein 4 (IGFBP-4) mainly belongs to the family of IGFB protein. Over expression of IGFBP-4 leads to cardiovascular diseases namely stroke, acute myocardial infarction and heart failure. IGFBP-4 serves as an effective drug target against cardiovascular disease. Hence, ligand based virtual screening was persuaded in the present study to propose potential inhibitors of IGFBP-4. Two inhibitors (mainly from literature search) were selected to initiate high throughput virtual screening from small molecule databases namely, NCI, ChemBank, ChemPDB, AKos GmbH, Asinex Ltd and KEGG ligand. The structures listed through database search were docked with IGFBP-4 using virtual screening workflow of Maestro v9.2. Three leads that showed better binding affinity and good correlation with two published inhibitors were proposed as potential IGFBP-4 inhibitors. The three proposed leads showed good pharmacological properties in comparison to the two existing inhibitors. The analyses supported efficiency of three leads for next generation drug designing for cardiovascular diseases.
First Report of Sclerotinia Blight Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Fan Columbine (Aquilegia flabellata) in Italy
Authors: Garibaldi A. , Bertetti D. , Poli A. , Gullino M. L. 
Published: October 2011

Fan columbine is a perennial garden species belonging to the family Ranunculaceae. During the spring of 2011, extensive wilting was observed on 5-month-old potted plants of Aquilegia flabellata grown in an experimental glasshouse belonging to the Center AGROINNOVA at Grugliasco (northern Italy). First symptoms included stem necrosis and darkening and withering of leaves. Plant wilt occurred a few days after the appearance of the first symptoms. Infected plants were characterized by the presence of soft, watery tissues. In the presence of high relative humidity, lesions became covered with a whitish mycelium and irregular, dark gray sclerotia (1.5 to 4.0 × 1.0 to 2.8, average 2.8 × 2.1 mm) were produced on the mycelium. Diseased tissue was surface sterilized for 1 min in 1% NaOCl and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 100 mg/l of streptomycin sulfate. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary (2) was consistently recovered from infected stem pieces. Sclerotia produced on PDA measured 2.0 to 7.0 × 2.0 to 5.0 (average 4.2 × 2.9) mm. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified using the primers ITS1F/ITS4 and sequenced. BLAST analysis (1) of the 575-bp segment showed a 100% homology with the sequence of S. sclerotiorum (EF091809). The nucleotide sequence has been assigned the GenBank Accession No. JN013184. Pathogenicity of one isolate obtained from sclerotia of infected plants was confirmed by inoculating three 6-month-old plants transplanted in 16-cm-diameter pots in a glasshouse in a sphagnum peat/pomix/pine bark/clay (50:20:20:10) mix. Inoculum that consisted of 3 g/l of substrate of sterile wheat kernels infested with mycelium and sclerotia was placed in the soil and around the base of each plant. Three noninoculated plants served as controls. Plants were maintained in a growth chamber at 21 ± 1°C and relative humidity >90%. The inoculation trial was carried out twice. All inoculated plants developed leaf yellowing within 15 days of soil infestation. White, cottony mycelium and dark sclerotia developed on stems and at the base of all inoculated plants. Eventually, infected plants wilted. Control plants remained symptomless. S. sclerotiorum was reisolated from the stems of inoculated plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. sclerotiorum on A. flabellata in Italy. The disease has been previously reported on A. vulgaris in the United States (3) and A. glandulosa in Russia (4). The economic importance of this disease in Italy is currently limited. References: (1) S. F. Altschul et al. Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389, 1997. (2) N. F. Buchwald. Kgl. Veterisk Landb. Aarssk. 75, 1949. (3) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. Retrived from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/ , July 7, 2011. (4) P. M. Zhiboedov et al. Mikol. Fitopatol, 36:48, 2002.
Glycoconjugates and polysaccharides from the Scedosporium/Pseudallescheria boydii complex: structural characterisation, involvement in cell differentiation, cell recognition and virulence
Authors: Lopes Livia Cristina L. , da Silva Mariana Ingrid D. , Bittencourt Vera Carolina B. , Figueiredo Rodrigo T. , Rollin‐Pinheiro Rodrigo , Sassaki Guilherme L. , Bozza Marcelo T. , Gorin Philip A. J. , Barreto‐Bergter Eliana 
Published: October 2011

SummaryPeptidorhamnomannans (PRMs), rhamnomannans and α‐glucans are especially relevant for the architecture of the Scedosporium/Pseudallescheria boydii cell wall, but many of them are immunologically active, with great potential as regulators of pathogenesis and the immune response of the host. In addition, some of them can be specifically recognised by antibodies from the sera of patients, suggesting that they could also be useful in diagnosis of fungal infections. Their primary structures have been determined, based on a combination of techniques including gas chromatography, electrospray ionization – mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS), 1H‐COSY and TOCSY, 13C and 1H/13C NMR spectroscopy. Using monoclonal antibodies to PRM, we showed that it is involved in germination and viability of P. boydii conidia, in the phagocytosis of P. boydii conidia by macrophages and non‐phagocytic cells and in the survival of mice with P. boydii infection. Also, components of the fungal cell wall, such as α‐glucans, are involved. Rhamnomannans are immunostimulatory and participate in the recognition and uptake of fungal cells by the immune system. These glycosylated polymers, being present in the fungal cell wall, are mostly absent from mammalian cells, and are excellent targets for the design of new agents capable of inhibiting fungal growth and differentiation of pathogens.
Physiological typing of Pseudallescheria and Scedosporium strains using Taxa Profile, a semi‐automated, 384‐well microtitre system
Authors: Horré R. , Schaal K. P. , Marklein G. , de Hoog G. S. , Reiffert S.‐M. 
Published: October 2011

SummaryDuring the last few decades, Pseudallescheria and Scedosporium infections in humans are noted with increasing frequency. Multi‐drug resistance commonly occurring in this species complex interferes with adequate therapy. Rapid and correct identification of clinical isolates is of paramount significance for optimal treatment in the early stages of infection, while strain typing is necessary for epidemiological purposes. In view of the development of physiological diagnostic parameters, 570 physiological reactions were evaluated using the Taxa Profile Micronaut system, a semi‐automatic, computer‐assisted, 384‐well microtitre platform. Thirty two strains of the Pseudallescheria and Scedosporium complex were analysed after molecular verification of correct species attribution. Of the compounds tested, 254 proved to be polymorphic. Cluster analysis was performed with the Micronaut profile software, which is linked to the ntsypc® program. The systemic opportunist S. prolificans was unambiguously separated from the remaining species. Within the P. boydii/P. apiosperma complex differentiation was noted at the level of individual strains, but no unambiguous parameters for species recognition were revealed.